This has to be it for Mikolas

[bgwinn01]

I wonder what ownership would do if Oli decided he'd seen enough of MM, shunted him to the 'pen and put Matz into the rotation.
There would be some puckered Tommy Johns on Clark Street.

But this is exactly what needs to happen. Seriously.

[Strummer Jones]

Yet he is sixth all time in Cardinal history with BB per 9 at 1.6.

So technically all the damage done to him is by hitting.

I think there's an argument to be made that Mikolas might be more effective if he threw fewer strikes. Might get some guys swinging out of their shoes to see a 91 mph meatball that isn't in the hitting zone.

That could work for a game or two. Either way, "filling up the zone" only works when you've got good stuff. Mikolas clearly doesn't. I haven't played since high school, but I think I could've put a good bat on one of Busch's home run pitches.

But yeah, anyway, I'm still quite miffled that I didn't wake up to see news of the end of Mikolas. Anything less is a non-starter with me. If we're trying to win, he needs to go. If we're more worried about seeing what we have in younger guys, he needs to go. There's literally NO reason why he should be here anymore.

[Quincy Varnish]

Seriously, this string of horrible starts provides Cards manager all the ammo and support and justification for sending Mikolas to the bullpen. Mikolas will have to sit his (bleep) out there from the first inning, one hopes.

If that humiliation isn't enough for him to just quit, okay, but at least he'll know the team has no respect for him or his ability as a starting pitcher anymore. Maybe he'll drop his no trade status and agree to be shipped off to, say, Colorado. At least Bidwell, I mean BDW Jr, would get in return the pro-rated minimum to offset the $17+M he's paying MM. Maybe Colorado would throw in a six-pack of Coors, or at least Coors Lite.

Seriously, no earthly reason not to shuttle Mikolas to the bullpen tomorrow. I bet those guys in the dugout would appreciate it.

String?

He’s had two terrible starts in a row.

The two previous starts -

5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K, 2 ER
6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K, 2 ER