3 STL Cardinals pitchers on thin ice after disappointing start

2. Cardinals might already be regretting the Miles Mikolas extension

Right at the start of the season and fresh off of Miles Mikolas’ turn in the World Baseball Classic for Team USA, the Cardinals doled out a three-year, $55.75 million extension to the veteran right-hander in order to help shore up a rotation that is going to get dangerously thin after the 2023 season for at least a little longer.

Based on the early returns since the club signed Mikolas to that deal, though, there might be some early buyer’s remorse.

Through his first five starts this season, Mikolas has only totaled 25.1 innings pitched while posting a ballooned 7.46 ERA and 1.89 WHIP on the season along with an 0-1 record, a number that doesn’t fully reflect his struggles. St. Louis is also just 2-3 in his five starts as well.

Admittedly, after giving up at least nine hits and five earned runs in each of his first three starts, Mikolas has been better in his last two outings, giving up two earned runs and seven hits over 5.2 innings in an eventual extra-innings win over the Pirates and then three earned runs on five hits over 5.1 innings in a loss to the Mariners. However, the overall picture still isn’t pretty.

Mikolas has never been and will never bee a high-strikeout pitcher with elite stuff. As a contact pitcher, though, he’s been effective when he’s limiting the hard contact he’s allowing opposing hitters to get. With six home runs allowed over five starts, that’s obviously not happening.

Because of the deal signed earlier this year, Mikolas isn’t going anywhere, but the thin ice is something he’s still on. If things don’t start getting drastically better for the starter, Oli Marmol might be forced to shake something up with the righty — as to what, we can’t be sure.