National League MVP Albert Pujols and Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter anchor a club that is coming off back-to-back division championships and 100-plus-win seasons. A star-studded St. Louis cast also includes left-hander Mark Mulder, sluggers/Gold Glovers Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen and closer Jason Isringhausen.
The Redbirds feature plenty of new faces this year, but the core talent remains strong. So expectations are the same as always -- win the NL Central, get to the World Series and bring home St. Louis' first World Series championship since 1982.
If you're planning to head down to beautiful Palm Beach County, here are some suggestions for making the most of your trip.
When do the Cardinals arrive at camp?
Pitchers and catchers report on Thursday, Feb. 16, and start working out the next day. Report day for position players is Monday, Feb. 20, and they begin workouts on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
When do games start?
The first competition is Feb. 28, when the Cardinals take on Florida Atlantic University, though you shouldn't expect to see too many regulars in that game. The first Grapefruit League game is March 2, at home against the Mets.
Most of the Cards' games take place either at Roger Dean Stadium or within an hour's drive. Fort Lauderdale, home of the Orioles, is about 45 minutes south, and Port St. Lucie and the Mets are about 40 minutes north. Plus, the Cardinals have four "road" games against their co-tenants at Roger Dean, the Florida Marlins.