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Gray leads the Cardinals, who are scheduled to begin the 2025 season Thursday at Busch Stadium vs. the Minnesota Twins, now scheduled to begin a 4:45 p.m.

The game was scheduled to start at 3:15 p.m., but after rain had been steadily falling for about two hours, the team announced that the game would be delayed. The on-field ceremonies are now set to begin at 4 p.m. before the 4:45 first pitch.

As seen last April, the right-hander has been historically strong at the start of the season. In his first five outings as a Cardinal, Gray put up a 0.89 ERA to begin 2024.

Historically, his early-season starts have been among his best in his previous 12 big-league seasons. Gray sports a 2.95 career ERA in March and April. In only one other month (August) has Gray put up a sub-3 career ERA.

To continue that run of spring strength, Gray will have to buck a poor spring, a drop in velocity and an illness. Gray was feeling better Monday and able to work out at Busch Stadium after dealing with a flu-like illness.

The 35-year-old recorded a 12.56 ERA in four starts this spring and saw his average fastball velocity fall to 91.7 mph, a 1.7 mph dip from its average a year ago.

Grayآ received an injection at the end of last season for right forearm flexor tendinitis “just pushed everything backâ€‌ for him over the offseason. He said the injury that cut last season short has not been an issue this spring.

He'll face a Twins lineup that last season ranked in the top five in the American League in both runs scored and on-base plus slugging percentage, though the team did lose Carlos Santana, last season's leader in home runs and RBIs, to free agency.

Minnesota, 82-80 a year ago, starts right-hander Pablo Lopez (15-10, 4.08 in 2024). Theآ  29-year-old Venezuelan ranked in the top 10 among starters for fewest walks per 9 innings pitched last season (1.99).

The Cardinals, 83-79 a year ago, are beginning a year of transition as the team prioritizes youth.

Lineups

CARDINALS

1. Lars Nootbaar, LF

2. Willson Contreras, 1B

3. Brendan Donovan, 2B

4. Nolan Arenado, 3B

5. Alec Burleson, DH

6. Ivأ،n Herrera, C

7. Jordan Walker, RF

8. Victor Scott II, CF

9. Masyn Winn, SS

P: Sonny Gray, RHP

TWINS

1. Matt Wallner, RF

2. Carlos Correa, SS

3. Byron Buxton, CF

4. Trevor Larnach, DH

5. Ryan Jeffers, C

6. Ty France, 1B

7. Willi Castro, 2B

8. Jose Miranda, 3B

9. Harrison Bader, LF

P: Pablo Lopez, RHP

Injury updates

Zack Thompson, LHP (lat strain): Remained in Jupiter, Florida, to begin a throwing program after a month of limited activity and no throwing. Thompson went through multiple checkups and scans to monitor the healing of a tear in his lat on the left side, and they did not show any setback to delayed Thompson's scheduled move to the injured list.

Sonny Gray, RHP (flu-like illness): Right-hander felt strong going through workouts at Busch Stadium ahead of his opening day start.