Predicting the 2026 Opening Day Lineup
In February of 2021, I predicted the Cardinals lineup for 2025. It was Tommy Edman, Nolan Gorman, Dylan Carlson, Jordan Walker, Paul DeJong, Ivan Herrera, C, Juan Yepez, RF and Angel Rondon.
Predicting the 2026 Opening Day Lineup. DeJong is out and Edman is replaced by Edmen at SS. Walker moves from 1B to LF. Yepez is not put in RF.
Herrera is a good player but not a starter. Contreras is the better player. He is 34 years old. He will be the starting catcher with Contrario as the DH.
Paul Goldschmidt is 38 and is probably going to retire. Alec Burleson, Yepez, Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker and LJ Jones are all potential replacements for him at first base. He's probably not going away. He picks Paul Goldchmidt as the starting 1B in 2026.
Tommy Edman is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. Nolan Gorman and Brendan Donovan are the only players who can play second base. If they are traded or if Edmen doesn't improve, then they will be replaced by Osvaldo Tovalin.
Arenado is making $27 million this year and has another year left on his contract. He is the favorite to win the next year's contract, but it's his last year.
Predicting the 2026 Opening Day Lineup is easy for me. Masyn Winn is the pick.
Jordan Walker will play left or right field in the 2026 Opening Day line-up.
Victor Scott II is a good chance to play center field for the Cardinals in 2026. Lars Nootbaar and Cedric Mullins are also possibilities. The Cardinals are interested in signing a free agent. Victor Scott is the best chance. He is 25 years old. The other possibilities are Won-Bin Cho and Joshua Baez.
Lars Nootbaar is predicted to play right field in 2026.
Alec Burleson is the best hitter of the ones remaining and he will be the designated hitter in the 2026 Opening Day line-up.
Predicting the 2026 Opening Day Lineup. I want to pick Aaron Nola as the starting pitcher.
Gordon Graceffo is the most likely starting pitcher to be named the Opening Day starter in 2026. Andre Granillo is a good minor league bet based on his strikeout rates. The Cardinals hope to sign an ace pitcher like Nola. The 2025 Opening day line-up is predicted by predicting the batting order. It is based upon the current roster.
