The Latest Breaking News from Miles Mikolas

With a major free agent signing that answers a few of the Cardinals’ looming questions this winter, the biggest of which was who their everyday catcher would be in 2023, the club must turn a prudent eye to the horizon and the rising unknown that’s about to be glaring.

ST. LOUIS — When the end came, with so little fanfare and all of the fireworks still in their casings waiting for another year or another event, Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols watched from the dugout, having done all they could against Philadelphia to extend their careers one more night.

ST. LOUIS — An inability to do much around the plate all evening other than throw Reds out near it caught up with the Cardinals when the snooze button on their offense lifted in the ninth.

After sending the ball over the bullpen in left — a 429-foot blast — Pujols couldn’t wipe the ear-to-ear smile from his face as he circled the bases.

ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals had been held to one run or none 12 times this season while ace right-hander Miles Mikolas had been on the mound.

The Cardinals don’t feature a dominant starter like Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer or Sandy Alcantara in their rotation.

CINCINNATI — The Cardinals’ offense, one of the most robust in baseball over the past month, has spent August extinguishing uncertainties about its depth, its looks, its leadoff spot, and its dexterity beyond the twin powers of Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.

CHICAGO — The Cardinals’ supporting players, who have helped amplify the offense this month, got thrust into the role of carrying it Wednesday at Wrigley Field.

PHOENIX — While tandem MVP candidates Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado tried to get their swings in sync, Miles Mikolas bought them all the time they needed – and more.