Miles Mikolas is the Cardinals Opening Day starter - A Hunt and Peck

Yep.

By lil_scooter93 Feb 25, 2019, 4:00pm EST

With the setback to Carlos Martínez’s offseason training, the Cardinals found themselves without their probable Opening Day starter. In his place the Cardinals have given the nod to Miles Mikolas. Manager Mike Shildt made the announcement on Saturday. Per Brendan Schaeffer of KMOV:

“It’s a recognition of last year,” Shildt said. “It’s completely well-deserved, we’re really, really happy for him. It’s quite an honor especially based on the staff that we have, so he’s going to be our lead guy to start the season, and it’s well, well-deserved.”

In his first season with the Cardinals - and first season in the Major League Baseball since 2014 - Mikolas was the top pitcher for the team with 4.3 fWAR. He led the starters in ERA with 2.83, slightly over-performing his FIP of 3.28. This is partially due to his team-low walk rate of 3.6% and a .72 Home Runs per Nine Innings. Mikolas was easily the Cardinals best and most consistent pitcher in 2018. After kicking off Spring Training as the first pitcher, the decision should come as no surprise.

Starting things off on the mound for us today and Opening Day pic.twitter.com/4NGNoTufPB
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 23, 2019

The news also gives me an excuse to post this ridiculously adorable photos...

Game day! We love you dada! @lastoneformiles pic.twitter.com/1G3A0cUvYS
— Lauren Mikolas (@Fearless_Charm) February 23, 2019

She was SOO excited to see dad pitch today! #mysmartgirl #daddysgirl @lastoneformiles pic.twitter.com/oVkjrOnhBB
— Lauren Mikolas (@Fearless_Charm) February 23, 2019

Cardinals name Miles Mikolas Opening Day starter | Sports | kmov.com