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.