Cardinals' Oliver Marmol gets real on Miles Mikolas' rough showing vs. Reds
06/28/2024 01:23 AM
The Miles Mikolas problem seemed to be a thing of the past following a red-hot stretch in June, but the veteran starting pitcher could not finish the month without reverting to his bad habits, as he dug the St. Louis Cardinals into a massive hole they could not escape in Thursday’s 11-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
Mikolas, who had a 2.49 ERA in four June starts entering the opening matchup of this four-game series, imploded in Busch Stadium. He allowed nine earned runs on 12 hits with one strikeout in 4.1 innings of work. Despite only walking a single batter, the two-time All-Star struggled profusely with command of his pitches.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol noted as much when assessing the brutal performance in the postgame press conference. “Just left a lot of pitches in the heart of the plate and they took some really good swings off of him and made him pay,” he said, per Bally Sports Midwest. “They had really good at-bats, so throw this one out and keep moving on.”
The third-year skipper did make sure to credit the right-hander for his impressive display of late, but this outing will overshadow Mikolas’ progress, which saw him give up only three runs in his first three June starts. He is not looking to dwell on this disaster but is owning up to it.
“Just not hitting spots, kind of stunk out there,” Mikolas told the media. “Bullpen a little short-staffed, today was not a good day for me to stink. {I’ll} work my tail off in between starts to make sure that doesn’t happen again…I’ve had a pretty good run the last seven or eight starts, so probably just try to toss this one in the bin and keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
Miles Mikolas: "Not hitting spots, kind of stunk out there. Bullpen a little short-staffed, today was not a good day for me to stink. Work my tail off in between starts, make sure that doesn't happen again."#STLCardspic.twitter.com/b4bTLNWIky
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) June 28, 2024
Cardinals need Miles Mikolas to be more consistent
St. Louis has received valuable production from a good chunk of its starting pitching rotation in 2024, which is a big reason why the team is now above .500 with a record of 41-39 and currently occupying the third National League Wild Card slot. Ace Sonny Gray has a 2.81 ERA and both Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson are turning back the clock. The Cardinals need Miles Mikolas to take a sip or two from the Fountain of Youth as well.
And keep it in his system for the rest of the year. The mustached hurler has been erratic throughout his MLB career, struggling with the Texas Rangers before clawing his way back to The Show following a three-year stint in Japan. He alternated impressive and mediocre campaigns upon signing with the Cards in 2017 but has underwhelmed over the last season and a half.
Though, like Mikolas said, he had been bouncing back nicely from a turbulent beginning to the 2024 season. His surge mirrored that of the Redbirds, as they vaulted up the NL standings and into the playoff picture. Hopefully, the 35-year-old will not have to go back to the drawing board. He must quickly rediscover the formula that made him a reliable arm for Oliver Marmol.
Because if he is unsuccessful, St. Louis’ depth issues become painfully more obvious. Mikolas will review the tape while the Cardinals prepare for their Friday night showdown with the Reds.
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