When Miles Mikolas takes the mound, the Cardinals can't afford to be picky.
Mikolas and the Cardinals wrap up a series with the Marlins on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. in the team's final game before Thursday's trade deadline.
The teams split the first two games, with the Cardinals blanked 5-0 on Tuesday night. It's also the rubber game of the seven-game homestand.
The right-hander Mikolas (6-7, 4.94 ERA) is coming off one of his better starts of the season last time out. He didn't allow a run in five innings despite giving up seven hits.
Mikolas has struggled mightily at times of late, but the bottom-line result last time out is one he and the Cardinals will happily accept, no matter how repeatable it is.
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In that start vs. San Diego, the Padres hit .333 against him with an expected batting average of .365. That outing was one of 12 by a big leaguer this season allowing seven or more hits and no runs, one of which was by teammate Sonny Gray last month.
With a .385 expected weighted on base average, that start would rank as one of his lesser outings of the year. In that game, Mikolas threw his fastballs a season-high 52.1% of the time.
In his last 10 starts, Mikolas has a 6.39 ERA, which is the second-lowest in baseball since May 28. His 2.49 homers allowed per 9 innings pitched is also second-worst in that time.
Coming off a season in which he had the second-highest ERA among qualified starters, expectations for the 36-year-old have been low, and he has exceeded them at times.
Opposing Mikolas will be right-hander Cal Quantrill (3-8, 5.05 ERA), a 30-year-old in his first season in Miami.
The Cardinals are 55-54 and 4 1/2 games behind San Diego for the final wild-card spot.
The Marlins are 51-55 and have won four straight series entering ѿý.
John King to IL, Gordon Graceffo recalled
Left-handed reliever John King was placed on the 15-day injured list before Wednesday's game, a day after leaving in the middle of an at-bat with soreness in his left side.
His injury is categorized as a left oblique strain.
Right-hander Gordon Graceffo has been recalled from Triple-A Memphis as a result.
How to watch Cardinals vs. Marlins
When: 6:45 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Busch Stadium in ѿý
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the as well as .
Your options to watch: Input your ZIP code and see your choices for watching Cardinals games.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Brendan Donovan, 2B
2. Iván Herrera, LF
3. Alec Burleson, 1B
4. Willson Contreras, DH
5. Nolan Arenado, 3B
6. Yohel Pozo, C
7. Jordan Walker, RF
8. Thomas Saggese, SS
9. Victor Scott II, CF
P: Miles Mikolas, RHP
MARLINS
1. Xavier Edwards, 2B
2. Jesús Sánchez, RF
3. Agustín Ramírez, C
4. Kyle Stowers, DH
5. Otto Lopez, SS
6. Troy Johnston, 1B
7. Heriberto Hernandez, LF
8. Graham Pauley, 3B
9. Dane Myers, CF
P: Cal Quantrill, RHP
Injury report
Lars Nootbaar, OF (left costochondral sprain): Nootbaar went through pregame workouts with the Cardinals on Tuesday before heading to Springfield, Missouri, to begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday with the Cardinals’ Class AA affiliate. Updated July 29
Nolan Gorman, 2B/3B (back tightness): Gorman, after serving as designated hitter for Class AA Springfield (Missouri) on Tuesday to begin his rehab assignment, is expected to make a rehab start at second base for Springfield on Wednesday. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Tuesday. This is a recurring injury for the young infielder, who also dealt with back soreness in previous seasons. Updated July 29
John King, LHP (left oblique strain): King was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday after he left Tuesday's game in the middle of an at-bat with left side tightness. Updated July 29
Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain): Lefty starter could begin a throwing program next week, Marmol said. Thompson has been sidelined since the start of March and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in early April. There is no timetable for his return to the mound. Updated July 24
