With Florida's Grapefruit League starting up in a matter of weeks, the St. Louis Cardinals are getting ready for their 2012 season and their chance at defending the champion's crown. The schedule kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 18, with the pitchers and catchers reporting:
Cardinals Reporting Dates
Pitchers & Catchers: Saturday, Feb. 18
First Workout: Sunday, Feb. 19
Position Players: Thursday, Feb. 23
First Full Workout: Friday, Feb. 24
The Cardinals will get their first look at their rotation on Saturday, and the are expected to roll out a starting rotation something like this:
1) Adam Wainwright
2) Chris Carpenter
3) Kyle Lohse
4) Jaime Garcia
5) Jake Westbrook
Last year, the team was almost entirely without the services of ace SP Adam Wainwright after a severe injury ended his year during the preseason. In 2011, without Wainwright, the Cardinals still managed to cobble together a solid rotation with a 3.81 ERA and 3.69 FIP.
Here's a look at the first week of games for the Cardinals:
2012 St. Cardinals Spring Training Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Location |
| March 5 |
1:05 p.m. |
Miami | Jupiter |
| March 6 |
1:10 p.m. | NY Mets |
St. Lucie |
| March 7 |
1:05 p.m. | Washington | Viera |
| March 8 |
1:05 p.m. | Boston |
Jupiter |
| March 9 |
1:05 p.m. | Minnesota | Ft. Myers |
| March 10 |
1:05 p.m. | Miami | Jupiter |
| March 11 |
1:05 p.m. | Washington | Jupiter |
For more news and analysis on the St. Louis Cardinals, drop by the Cards blog Viva El Birdos. For more game previews and recaps, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis.