ST. LOUIS–The Cardinals have announced a timeline of events for what has become an unofficial St. Louis holiday otherwise known as the home opener for the Redbirds at Busch Stadium.

What You Need To Know

The Cardinals face the Toronto Blue Jays in a 3:10 start Thursday afternoon.

[Live Updates: St. Louis Cardinals open the 2023 baseball season]

The team’s official opening day pep rally starts at 10:30am at Ballpark Village featuring Fredbird, Team Fredbird, DJ Todd Thomas, Cardinals organist Dwayne Hilton and Cardinals alumni. The event is free and features giveaways, including tickets to Thursday’s game and others.

  • 12:00pm: Busch Stadium gates open. All fans 21 and older will get a 2023 magnetic Cardinals schedule
  • 12:05pm: Cardinals batting practice
  • 1:00pm: Blue Jays batting practice
  • 2:25pm: Onfield pregame ceremonies begin featuring: 
    • Budweiser Clydesdales, Fredbird and Team Fredbird, Chairman & CEO, Bill DeWitt Jr.; President, Bill DeWitt III; and President of Baseball Operations, John Mozeliak at home plate
    • More than a dozen members of the Cardinals Hall of Fame will be introduced as they arrive in 2023 Ford Mustang convertibles
    • The club’s 2022 N.L. Central Division championship will also be recognized
  • 2:50pm: The 2023 Cardinals will be introduced as players arrive in 2023 Ford F-150 trucks, followed by the introduction of the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • 3:00pm: Violinist Abigail Stahlschmidt will perform the Canadian National Anthem, followed by the performance of the U.S. National Anthem.
  • 3:05pm: Ceremonial first pitch duties go to the next Cardinal headed for the national baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, third baseman Scott Rolen, who will throw it to Cardinals Hall of Fame outfielder Matt Holliday
  • 3:10pm: Miles Mikolas is scheduled to throw the first official pitch 

Thursday will mark the first time Busch Stadium fans get to see Major League Baseball’s new rules play out. Pitchers will have up to 15 seconds between pitches to throw and up to 20 when at least one runner is on base. Two infielders must be on each side of second base and all infielders must have their feet on the infield dirt when a pitcher starts his motion, meaning no more defensive shifts. Also, first, second and third base are now three inches larger, in an effort to promote safety and boost base stealing.

One Cardinals executive said it will all focus fan attention back on the field, instead of our phones.