Oli Marmol appears to be drawing popsicle sticks for latest Cardinals lineup

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oli Marmol has shaken up the lineup for the team's first trek outside the Gateway City for the 2026 season. In Detroit to take on the Tigers, the Cardinals have a nearly unrecognizable starting nine for their first game.

The Cardinals lineup on April 3 is unlike anything you've ever seen before.

Left-hander Framber Valdez is toeing the slab for Detroit, the second southpaw starter whom the Cardinals will face. The leadoff batter, Winn, controversially hit in the cleanup spot to this point, and despite netting the walk-off knock, a dying quail into shallow right field, in the Cardinals' previous game, he has only four hits in 25 at-bats, so although he fits the profile of a leadoff hitter with speed, it's arguable that providing him the most plate appearances possible isn't the best option at the moment.

Herrera has started the season slowly, going only 4-for-22, but his history as a threatening hitter suggests a turnaround soon, so batting second makes sense. Burleson at the third spot is similar, and Marmol's desire to alternate left-handed and right-handed hitters as much as possible makes him the logical choice to hit there.

Urias at four is a curiosity to say the least. based more on his history than anything else. He is 2-for-9 this season and hit just .241 with a .675 OPS last year. Since he's a right-handed hitter, it would seem to make more sense for him to switch sports with the fifth hitter, Jordan Walker, also a righty, but who began the year providing some hope that he can still become a valuable major league hitter.

The rest of the batting order is understandable. Yohel Pozo hasn't played yet this season. After coming out of the gate hot in 2025, especially in pinch-hitting roles, pitchers began to exploit his free-swinging habits, and he sank to a .231 average and a .637 OPS. Thomas Saggese was originally expected to receive more playing time, but Nathan Church grabbed the starting left field job. Church's struggles may soon provide Saggese with more opportunities.

This will be Fermin's first appearance in the Cardinals lineup. He hit .283 with a .793 OPS last year, but his scant playing time suggests the Cardinals don't believe his production is real. Scott is in his familiar spot in the nine hole, where he has become a strong bunter after working tirelessly at the craft over the offseason.

St. Louis had a more conventional lineup against the first lefty they opposed, former Cardinal Steven Matz, so it's unclear why Marmol has gotten so creative with his lineup, especially after a day off. The Cardinals should be fresh and ready to play some ball, but Marmol seems to be valuing extra rest for his regulars just six games into the season and only five consecutive games played. It's not a getaway day, either, so this is an odd approach for a skipper whose team isn't projected to see much success in 2026 but has begun the year with a 4-2 record.

Fans should temper their expectations for this lineup against a strong pitcher in Valdez, but if these primarily bench bats can make some noise, the Cardinals could possess more depth than people expected.