Mikolas did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings against the Angels. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas continues to turn a corner after a rough start to his season. After coughing up 11 runs over his first 11 innings, he's given up just eight over his last 23. The right-hander is far from an elite option, but he can be counted on for solid outings. The 34-year-old is tentatively slated to face the Cubs on the road in his next appearance.

Mikolas (1-1) earned the win over San Francisco on Thursday, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out six batters over 6.1 scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas began Thursday with an ugly 7.46 season ERA, but he lowered that considerably with a sterling outing against the Giants. The right-hander tossed a campaign-high 6.1 frames and didn't allow any runs while matching a season-best mark with six punchouts. Mikolas will look to build upon this performance moving forward, with his next start tentatively lined up to come at home against the Angels.

Mikolas pitched 5.1 innings against Seattle on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters. He did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas gave up a solo homer to Jarred Kelenic in the second inning but settled in from there, at one point retiring 11 of a string of 12 batters. However, he lost a 3-1 lead when Teoscar Hernandez tagged him for a two-run homer in the sixth, which marked the end of Mikolas' outing. The right-hander has yet to get into the win column this season, but he's shown some improvement over his past two starts, giving up five earned runs over 11 frames. Prior to that, Mikolas had surrendered 16 earned runs over his first 14.1 innings of the campaign.

Mikolas did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 5-4 extra-inning win over the Pirates. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas surrendered runs in each of the first two innings before shutting down the Pirates over the next three frames. He found himself in some trouble again in the sixth and was pulled with two outs and runners on first and third, just robbing him of his first quality start of the year. The Pirates tacked on a third run off a fielding error, but Mikolas was able to avoid a loss after the Cardinals came back to win. The seven hits and two earned runs were both season-low marks for the 34-year-old, who has gotten knocked around early on in the campaign. He now sports an 8.10 ERA and a 19:5 K:BB over 20 innings and will look to build off this outing with a tentative start against the Mariners next weekend.

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.