Miles Mikolas spoke after his final start of the 2025 season and summed it up in three words: “Not my best.” For the St. Louis Cardinals, those words defined much of the last six years for the veteran right-hander.
Mikolas, now 37, closed out the year with another loss at Wrigley Field, a fitting end to yet another frustrating season. He allowed three home runs in five innings as the Cubs pounded their rival 12–1, a result that secured yet another losing record for both Mikolas and the Cardinals.
Double-Digit Losses Again
The defeat marked Mikolas’ fifth season in the last six with double-digit losses. Over that stretch, he posted a combined record of 50–65, a stat line that shows how difficult it has been for him to recapture his peak form of his first season in St. Louis. Once a two-time All-Star and dependable innings-eater, Mikolas has instead become a model of inconsistency.
Even in a season where he stayed relatively healthy, he was hurt by the long ball. His struggles at Wrigley Field alone told the story: nine homers allowed there in 2025, the most by any pitcher in the majors at a single road park this year.
End of the Road in St. Louis
The Cardinals made it clear that their focus is on the future of the rotation, with younger arms like Matthew Liberatore and Andre Pallante set to return in 2026. That leaves no space for Mikolas, who enters free agency this winter with little chance of a reunion.
He will leave with a St. Louis record of 68–69 across eight seasons, a career that included highs like his 2018 All-Star year but too many recent lows to justify another run. At 37, his best days appear behind him, and the Cardinals are ready to move on.
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Cardinals’ Playoff Drought
For the Cardinals, Mikolas’ decline coincides with a larger organizational downturn. The loss to the Cubs ensured St. Louis missed the playoffs for a third straight season, an unusual stretch for a franchise that has long prided itself on consistency.
The rotation, once a strength, has become a glaring weakness. With Mikolas gone, the team will lean heavily on its young pitchers and likely pursue reinforcements on the free-agent market this offseason.
Final Chapter
Mikolas didn’t close the door completely on returning, but the writing is on the wall. His age, record, and performance all point to a different future for both sides.
“I really did cherish my time here,” he said, but his “Not my best” farewell fits both his 2025 season and the final chapter of his Cardinals career.
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