Although Seattle and Oakland opened the regular season with two games in Japan last week, the Major League Baseball regular season begins Stateside tonight.  The St. Louis Cardinals open defense of their 2011 World Series championship against the rebranded Miami Marlins.  It marks the first official game in the Marlins' new, retractable roof stadium.  Both teams begin the campaign with new looks.  Gone from the Cardinals are longtime manager Tony La Russa, who retired after last season, and perennial MVP candidate Albert Pujols, who joined the Angels as a free agent during the offseason.  Mike Matheny begins his first managerial stint in the St. Louis dugout, while free-agent addition Carlos Beltran tries to help fill the offensive void left by Pujols' departure. Matheny says he's enjoyed his role in getting this team prepared and ready to go after a productive spring training.

 [audio:STLMatheny2.mp3] [/audio]
 [audio:STLMatheny1.mp3] [/audio]

Cardinals first baseman Lance Berkman says they still have a formidable offense even without the departed Pujols.

[audio:STLBerkman1.mp3] [/audio]

Despite hitting just .192 this spring, Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal will bat leadoff in tonight's season-opener.  Furcal will be followed by Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, Lance Berkman, David Freese, Yadier Molina, Jon Jay, Daniel Descalso and pitcher Kyle Lohse.

The Marlins also have plenty of new faces.  New manager Ozzie Guillen takes over in the dugout after eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox.  The Fish also added several key free agents in an effort to compete in the National League East.  The Marlins signed reigning National League batting champ Jose Reyes to play shortstop.  Hanley Ramirez slides over to third base to make room for the former Mets star.  Also, closer Heath Bell comes over from the San Diego Padres and former White Sox ace Mark Buehrle is reunited with manager Guillen after 12 years in the Windy City.