What is the story about?
The Rays Opening Day lineup for 2026 has been posted by manager Kevin Cash, and has some surprises compared to the expected starters for the season, in part because a left hander is on the mound in for -Rays first round pick Matthew Liberatore, who was traded to St. Louis in the January 2020 deal for Randy Arozarena.
Liberatore has been on the Cardinals since 2022, and makes his first Opening Day start opposite of Drew Rasmussen, who also gets the nod for the first time.
Here’s how the Rays line up
against the Cardinals southpaw:
- Yandy Diaz, DH
- Ryan Vilade, LF
- Jonathan Aranda, 1B (L)
- Junior Caminero, 3B
- Ben Williamson, 2B
- Jonny DeLuca, RF
- Nick Fortes, C
- Cedric Mullins II, CF (L)
- Carson Williams, SS
Two quick reactions:
- it is not a surpise that utility defender Ryan Vilade is making the start, but the vote of confidence in his bat to hit Vilade second is notable, as the 27-year old journeyman (and former Cardinal) has only 71 career plate appearances with a .179 wOBA, despite strong performances in Triple-A in 2025 (135 wRC+ across two org’s). The Rays must believe in the bat heading into this season.
- Cedric Mullins locks down center field, with the 31-year old veteran getting the start over in-house starter Jonny DeLuca. Last year across two teams Mullins totaled -14 Defensive Runs Saved in center field over 120 games started (1,064.1 innings); DeLuca netted 1 DRS in 14 starts (140 innings) after an extended absence with injury.
First pitch is at 4:15.
Go Rays!
