ST. LOUIS, MO – With each passing pitch, faith in Miles Mikolas – one of the St. Louis Cardinals’ key pitchers – wavered. But no one expected that, on a dark night in mid-July, he would go down in history in the worst possible way.
When the game started, everything seemed normal. But in just the first few innings, Mikolas gave up 10 runs, joining the team’s blacklist: the pitcher who allowed the most runs in a Cardinals game this season. Fans’ hearts gradually broke with each time he bowed his head and walked off the mound.
“I felt like I left the team behind. Today was my fault,” Mikolas said after the game, his eyes red.
Remember in 2018, Miles Mikolas was the pride of St. Louis. Louis – who helped the team reach the playoffs with an ERA under 3.0, was honored at the All-Star Game. But baseball is a cruel sport – yesterday’s glory can quickly be replaced by today’s disappointment.
And now, after the “hellish” game, many experts are asking: can the Cardinals continue to trust Mikolas for the rest of the season, or is this a sign that the time for change has come?
Not only was the field silent, forums and social networks exploded with fierce reactions. Many opinions said that Mikolas had seriously lost his form, while the coaching staff was “too patient” with a pitcher who was in deep crisis.
“We love the Cardinals, but we can’t watch an experienced pitcher be so helpless.” – One fan wrote on Twitter.
With this poor performance, the possibility of Mikolas being removed from the starter role is completely real. The Cardinals, in the middle of a crucial season, can’t afford to gamble on inconsistency. Young pitchers are waiting for their chance, and the midseason transfer window is open.
However, some experts believe that Mikolas — who overcame injuries, left MLB for Japan, and returned to the top — can find his feet again if he’s coached properly and the pressure is off.
Sports is a place where even the strongest can fall. But what separates a “former star” from a “true legend” is how they get back up after that fall.
Tonight, Miles Mikolas made Cardinals history — not with glory, but with injury. But will it be the end, or the beginning of a journey of rebirth?