Mostly Cloudy
Highest listed rain chance in the game window is 7%.
Bring a rain layer and check delay updates before leaving.
Tickets, team gear, and weather gear should support the forecast, not distract from it.
Game Weather Bottom Line
The St. Louis Cardinals host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:45 PM CDT — a genuine NL division game with real standings weight. The forecast bottom line: plan for a warm, soggy evening. The National Weather Service has been tracking a persistent multi-day storm system over the St. Louis metro, with rain detected in the game-day window. Temperatures are expected in the low 80s at first pitch, but the humidity is the real story.
This is not a “might rain” situation. Come prepared or come uncomfortable.
Rain Delay And Wind Risk
The NWS issued forecasts showing showers and thunderstorms through Monday and Tuesday, with precipitation probabilities reaching 91% on Monday and 98% on Tuesday — a saturated pattern that does not look to fully clear before Wednesday evening. Rain delay risk at first pitch is elevated.
South winds at 9 to 16 mph, with gusts up to 26 mph, have been the dominant flow across the region, and similar breezy southerly conditions are expected game night. That wind will push warm Gulf moisture right into downtown St. Louis, keeping it muggy even after sunset. It also means pop flies and deep corner shots could play unpredictably — watch how the outfielders shade pre-game.
What To Wear And Bring
Dress for a hot, rainy night — not a cool one. Here’s the practical kit:
- Poncho over jersey: A stadium rain poncho is the single most important item tonight. Buy one before you go — in-stadium prices are painful.
- Protect your stuff: A waterproof stadium bag keeps your phone, wallet, and credentials dry from the parking lot to your seat.
- Go light underneath: Low 80s and full humidity means you’ll be sweating even in the rain. A breathable St. Louis Cardinals t-shirt under your poncho is the move. Skip the hoodie.
- Bring the glove: A baseball glove tucked in that waterproof bag is always a good call at Busch — foul ball opportunities are real.
Leave sunscreen for Sunday afternoon games. Tonight is about staying dry, not blocking UV.
Tailgating And Arrival Window
The Cardinals sit at 27–19 at home — a strong record, even with one loss in their last home game. The Pirates arrive on a three-game road losing streak and a 24–23 away mark that says they can be beat. This matchup has exactly the kind of division energy that makes a soggy Wednesday worth enduring.
Target arrival: 5:30–5:45 PM CDT. That gives you time to park, get a quick tailgate in before any storm cells arrive, and settle into your seat before first pitch. Watch the radar hourly through the afternoon — if a cell is tracking to hit St. Louis between 6:00 and 7:00, move up your arrival to beat the worst of it.
Tailgating in the rain is a Cardinal Nation tradition. Set up under a canopy if you’ve got one, and do not leave your waterproof stadium bag in the car.
Tickets, Team Gear, And Useful Links
Still need seats? You can Get tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub — mid-week rainy-night games sometimes see softer walkup demand, so check both before heading out.
Suiting up for the occasion: a St. Louis Cardinals jersey makes the right statement for a division game, and it layers under a poncho without bulk. Add a St. Louis Cardinals fitted cap if you’ve got a waterproof one — otherwise it becomes a sponge by the third inning.
Busch Stadium has covered concourse areas that make sheltering manageable if a storm rolls through mid-game, but your best protection is simply bringing the right gear. Pack the poncho, grab that waterproof bag, and go cheer your Cardinals through a slippery division fight.