The St. Louis Cardinals pitching rotation is set for the start of the shortened 2020 season. Manager Mike Shildt announced last night that Carlos Martínez beat out Kwang Hyun Kim for the fifth spot in the rotation. Kim will likely become the closer. The Cards’ starting rotation will consist of Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright, Dakota Hudson, Miles Mikolas and Martínez. Flaherty will be the Opening Day starter Friday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium.
The Atlanta Braves will take on the Miami Marlins in an exhibition at home today. The two will also meet again tomorrow. Atlanta will open the regular season at the New York Mets on Friday night.
The Pittsburgh Pirates and PNC Park are among the potential hosts for the Toronto Blue Jays for the upcoming season. The Jays were denied the ability to host games in their home stadium, the Rogers Centre, in Toronto, for the upcoming season by the Canadian government because teams crossing the border frequently. The Bucs are one of a number of teams in the running, as the Jays are also considering playing in Buffalo.