Mikolas (0-1) took the loss against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The Dodgers jumped out to a quick lead on Mikolas, scoring twice in the first inning before the 35-year-old right-hander allowed three more runs on a pair of homers in the third. It's certainly not the start to the season Mikolas wanted after he struggled to a 9-13 record with a 4.78 ERA across 35 starts last year. He'll look to get on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for early next week in San Diego.

Manager Oliver Marmol announced Sunday that Mikolas will be the Cardinals' starter for Opening Day against the Dodgers on March 28, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Presumed Opening Day starter Sonny Gray (hamstring) won't be ready to pitch, so Mikolas will instead receive the nod. The 35-year-old retooled his slider during the offseason after a disappointing 2023 that saw him post a 4.78 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 137:39 K:BB across 201.1 innings.

Mikolas is retooling his slider for 2024 after a disappointing 2023 season during which he had a 4.78 ERA over 201.1 innings, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas' poor whiff rate (16.7 percent) contributed to his problems in 2023. "I'm working on some different breaking balls and working with some other stuff and so far, so good," said Mikolas. "Maybe not so much [changing] the shape as I am mixing things up more. The mix I had last year wasn't overly successful, so maybe it bodes better if I am mixing things up better." As part of his changes, Mikolas also wants to throw fewer strikes -- batters hit .225 off of him after taking two strikes in 2023. Mikolas has a lot to prove as the longest-tenured member of the Cardinals' rotation following Adam Wainwright's retirement, but it's unclear if his offseason changes will help the 35-year-old get his ERA back under 4.00.

Mikolas (9-13) allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out 10 without walking a batter over seven innings to earn the win Sunday over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas matched his season high with 10 strikeouts. He logged quality starts in his last two outings of the season after an inconsistent campaign overall, which saw the veteran right-hander post a 4.78 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 137:39 K:BB across 201.1 innings. Mikolas is under contract for 2024, so he should be a mid-rotation starter for the Cardinals after enduring the worst of his five years with the club in 2023.

Mikolas (8-13) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over seven innings against the Brewers. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

After allowing five earned runs and taking the loss in each of his last three starts, Mikolas rattled off seven innings of one-run baseball against Milwaukee. The outing marked Mikolas' second time in his last 10 starts not allowing a home run. Over that stretch (60 innings), Mikolas owns a 6.00 ERA with a 33:13 K:BB. He's lined up to close out the Cardinals regular season Sunday against the Reds at Busch Stadium.

Mikolas will start Tuesday's game in Milwaukee, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas has flip-flopped with Zack Thompson, who will now start Wednesday's game against the Brewers. Dakota Hudson is on tap for Thursday's series finale. This slight change to the schedule could allow Mikolas to fit in two more starts before the Cardinals' season comes to a close.

Mikolas (7-13) took the loss Thursday, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and one walk over five innings against the Brewers. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Everything fell apart for Mikolas in the sixth inning as he allowed four runs, capped by a Victor Caratini three-run homer, and departed without making an out. This was the 35-year-old's eighth straight start allowing three or more runs, dating back to Aug. 14. Over that span, he has a 7.24 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB over 46 innings. Mikolas has pitched to the tune of a 4.95 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 122:37 K:BB over 187.1 innings this season.

Mikolas (7-12) took the loss against Philadelphia on Saturday, allowing five runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out two batters over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas hung tough through four frames and trailed just 2-1 entering the fifth. However, Kyle Schwarber tagged him for a three-run blast in that inning to mar the veteran right-hander's final line. Mikolas rarely helps himself with punchouts -- he's notched exactly two in each of his past four starts -- so he largely has to rely on good control and keeping the ball in the park. The latter hasn't been a strong suit of his of late, as Mikolas has given up six homers over his past three starts -- one more than he had surrendered over his previous eight outings combined.

Mikolas (7-11) allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two over 5.1 innings in a loss to the Reds on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas allowed five or more runs in a start for the 10th time this year. He infamously becomes the third pitcher to do so this season, joining Jordan Lyles and Lance Lynn. The 34-year-old has allowed three or more runs in each of his last six outings and has given up nine home runs over that span while failing to reach five strikeouts in any of those appearances. After posting extremely strong numbers in 2022, Mikolas has fallen back to earth this season. He now owns a 4.75 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 116:36 K:BB in 176.1 innings and lines up for a home start against the Phillies next.

Mikolas (7-10) picked up the win in Tuesday's 10-6 victory over Atlanta, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

All three Atlanta runs came on solo shots, but Mikolas otherwise kept the NL East leaders off the board and got more than enough run support from the Cardinals. The quality start was his 12th of the season, but since the All-Star break the right-hander has stumbled to a 5.69 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB through 55.1 innings, largely thanks to 10 homers allowed. He could have a hard time keeping the ball in the park again in his next outing, which is likely to come this weekend in Cincinnati.