Miles Mikolas unleashed a monstrous curveball against Jorge Soler during his shutout
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Monday, May 21, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
(Jeff Roberson/AP)
By
Andrew Mearns
Miles Mikolas has been making up for lost time in 2018, his second go-around in the Major Leagues. He dominated for three years in Japan with the Yomiuri Giants, and in nine starts since joining the Cardinals, he has a 2.24 ERA. Mikolas was in complete control on Monday night against the Royals, when he blanked them, 4-0, for his first career complete game and shutout. Jorge Soler in particular found himself flailing at the right-hander's dazzling curveball:
The pitch just diving down until it passed the outside corner, where Soler waved over it. Soler whiffed three times against Mikolas, but his teammates didn't fare much better. They were held to four singles and a walk while striking out nine times as a team. Maybe other pitchers around baseball should start looking into lizard snacks.