Mikolas did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing six runs on 10 hits and two walks over five innings in a 9-6 win over the Rockies. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas surrendered five runs in each of his first two starts of the season, and he didn't fare any better Tuesday at Coors Field. The right-hander threw 59 of his 89 pitches for strikes and surrendered three home runs, all of which went beyond 420 feet. Mikolas inked a two-year, $40 million extension with the Cardinals late in spring training, but early in 2023 he's been unable to replicate the 3.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 153:39 K:BB he posted in 202.1 innings last year.

Mikolas (0-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Cardinals fell 5-2 to Atlanta, coughing up five runs on nine hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Matt Olson did the most damage against the right-hander, racking up two doubles and a homer by himself in the first four innings. Mikolas did throw 71 of 98 pitches for strikes, but his command within the zone isn't where he wants it -- through two starts, St. Louis' Opening Day starter carries a 9.64 ERA despite a 12:1 K:BB in 9.1 innings thanks to 19 hits. Mikolas' troubles may not be over, and while he lines up for a two-step next week, the first outing is set to be a road start at Coors Field.

Mikolas did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing five runs on 10 hits and zero walks over 3.1 innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Credit to Mikolas for filling up the strike zone as he normally does, but he was entirely too hittable within the zone on this particular day. Mikolas did not allow a single earned run in the Grapefruit League this year, throwing 12 scoreless innings, but the Blue Jays' high-powered offense brought him back to Earth in a hurry. It won't get much easier for Mikolas next week when St. Louis hosts Atlanta.

Mikolas agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract extension with the Cardinals on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will be tacked on to the $17 million he's making in 2023 in the final year of a four-year, $68 million contract, so the Cards will now have Mikolas around through 2025. The 34-year-old right-hander made the All-Star team in 2022, holding a 3.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 153:39 K:BB over 202.1 innings. Mikolas has a limited ceiling in fantasy due to his lack of strikeouts, but elite control and a superb defense behind him should give him a high floor in 2023.

Mikolas will draw the start for Thursday's Opening Day matchup with the Blue Jays, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas will replace Adam Wainwright (groin) as the first pitcher to toe the rubber for St. Louis in 2023. The Opening Day start will be the second of his career, and the 34-year-old will look to build off a very successful 2022 campaign in which he posted a 3.29 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 202.1 innings in 33 starts for the Cardinals.

Mikolas is the leading candidate to start on Opening Day for the Cardinals, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The honor would have almost certainly gone to Adam Wainwright in what is expected to be his farewell MLB season, but it was announced Thursday that he will begin the year on the IL because of a groin strain. Mikolas was the most reliable starter for St. Louis throughout the 2022 campaign, working to a 3.29 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 202.1 regular-season innings. He'll make his final Grapefruit League start Friday night against the Nationals.

Mikolas will pitch in relief Monday against Canada in the World Baseball Classic, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas was scheduled to start Wednesday against Colombia, but instead that honor will go to Merrill Kelly. The right-hander will instead piggyback with Lance Lynn against Canada in a game the United States realistically must win in order to stay alive in the tournament.

Mikolas is scheduled to start for Team USA in Wednesday's World Baseball Classic game versus Colombia, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas got off to a good start in spring training, striking out six batters while walking one and allowed just two hits over five innings across two starts. He'll look to take his success to the international stage for a few weeks. The right-hander is a virtual lock for a spot in the Cardinals' rotation to begin the 2023 season after a solid 2022 in which he posted a 3.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 153:39 K:BB across 202.1 innings.

Manager Oliver Marmol announced Mikolas as the starter for Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series versus Philadelphia on Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander allowed a run over three frames in his final outing of the regular season Monday, and he'll follow Game 1 starter Jose Quintana in the rotation to begin the playoffs for St. Louis. Mikolas threw a career-high 202.1 innings this year and finished with a 3.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 153:39 K:BB.

Mikolas allowed a run on three hits over three innings and did not factor into the decision in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas followed starter Jose Quintana, who began the game with three innings of one-hit ball. This was Mikolas' last scheduled appearance of the regular season, and he'll end with a 3.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 153:39 K:BB in a career-high 202.1 innings. He was sharp over his last six outings, giving up nine runs (eight earned) over 34 innings while logging four quality starts in that span. The right-hander will likely be included in the Cardinals' postseason rotation.