St. Louis Cardinals' Projected 2023 Opening Day Starting Lineup

The St. Louis Cardinals will open the season Thursday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis against the Toronto Blue Jays. Miles Mikolas will take the mound for Oli Marmol's club, making his second consecutive Opening Day start and the third Opening Day start of his career. Here's a look at our projected 2023 Opening Day starting lineup for the Cardinals.

The St. Louis Cardinals will open the season Thursday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis against the Toronto Blue Jays. Miles Mikolas will take the mound for Oli Marmol's club, making his second consecutive Opening Day start and the third Opening Day start of his career.

Entering the club's second season under Marmol, the Cardinals will look a bit different from how they lined up a season ago. Cardinals greats Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina road off into the sunset, following the club's disappointing National League Wild Card Series loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Cardinals replaced Molina with a familiar face from the National League Central. Taking Molina's place behind home plate will be former Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras.

The Cardinals parted ways with center fielder Harrison Bader prior to last August's trade deadline, moving him for starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery in a swap with the New York Yankees.

Top prospect Jordan Walker cracked the club's Opening Day roster and could see a significant role with the Cardinals this season. He is expected to see time in the corner outfield. Lars Nootbaar is also expected to start for the club. Tyler O'Neill and Dylan Carlson could split time in center to open the season.

Here's a look at our projected Opening Day starting lineup for the Cardinals:

1) 2B Brendan Donovan .281/.394/.773

2) LF Lars Nootbaar .228/.340/.788

3) 1B Paul Goldschmidt .317/.404/.981

4) 3B Nolan Arenado .293/.358/.891

5) C Willson Contreras .243/.349/.815

6) CF Tyler O'Neill .228/.308/.700

7) DH Nolan Gorman .226/.300/.721

8) LF Jordan Walker (Rookie)

9) SS Tommy Edman .265/.324/.725

SP Miles Mikolas (12-13, 3.29 ERA)

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