August 11, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt (8) talks to first base umpire Bill Miller (26) after a ground-rule double by shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (7) against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at LoanDepo Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt is enjoying his return to St. Louis.
“It’s good to be back,” said Shildt, who led the Cardinals to three postseason berths before being fired after the 2021 season. “A lot of guys you look forward to seeing and a lot of good relationships, a lot of good memories and people. But most of all, it’s about the Padres coming in and playing good baseball.”
The Padres won the opener of the four-game series 7-4 on Monday night, with Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill each driving in three runs. San Diego will look to notch its fourth win in five games when the two teams face off again on Tuesday night.
The Padres had an emotional boost over the weekend seeing pitcher Yu Darvish and slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. nearing their return. Both are expected to come off the injured list sometime in September in time to make the playoffs.
“It’s getting real,” Merrill said. “We’re getting to the bottom of the tunnel, and we’re getting our guys back, so we’re all excited.”
San Diego will start Dylan Cease (12-10, 3.43 ERA) on Tuesday. The right-hander took a miserable loss in his last outing, giving up three runs, two earned, on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings against the New York Mets. He struck out seven batters and walked one.
Cease had not faced the Cardinals when the two teams faced off earlier this season. In his only career start against them on July 7, 2023, he allowed five runs on 11 hits in six innings in a no-decision. Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer against them in that contest.
On Tuesday, the Cardinals will give the ball to Miles Mikolas (8-10, 5.19 E.R.A.), who began his career with the Padres in 2012 and 2013.
Mikolas had a strong performance against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday: just two hits allowed in six shutout innings that St. Louis eventually won 3-0. He had three strikeouts and one walk.
“At the end of the season, I know we have a lot of games against teams that are either going to be in the playoffs or trying to get there,” Mikolas said. “So every base, every play, every bag, every pitch matters this time of year.”
He attributed his success on Thursday to some mechanical improvements.
“I think I’m hiding the ball a little better in my delivery … so it makes guys a little more honest on the fastball,” Mikolas said. “I think it also helps with my movement on the sinker. It helps them create two very different pitches, one that’s holding the line as much as possible and then one where it’s just like running and staying down in the zone and getting under the barrel.”
Mikolas earned a 5–2 win over the Padres on April 2. He allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings, striking out four and giving up one walk.
In seven games against his former team, he has a 3–2 record and a 2.55 ERA.
–Field Level Media