LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. • What the Cardinals believed Miles Mikolas could do after spinning his starts in Japan through a statistical centrifuge is now what Mikolas must do during spring training: find a way for that success to translate.
Given a second chance to make a first impression, Mikolas had better command of his fastball and, at times, sharper off-speed pitches, but not the results to match. The Atlanta Braves tagged the righthander for four runs, three of which came on a home run, in three innings Saturday at Champion Stadium. In two appearances this spring training, his first in the majors after three years in Japan, Mikolas has allowed 10 runs and collected as many outs (13) as he has allowed hits (13).