51ºÚÁÏ

Mikolas starts Monday at 8:40 p.m. (51ºÚÁÏ time) as the Cardinals open a three-game series vs. the Mariners in Seattle.

TheÌýright-hander Mikolas (7-10, 4.89 ERA)Ìýfaced the Mariners exactly one year ago, giving up nine runs, eight earned, in two innings.Ìý

Mikolas faced nine Seattle batters, allowing hits to each of the first five he faced before he could record an out. Four of those five batters who started Mikolas' night off on a bad note a year ago are still on the roster. Three of them will be the first three he faces Monday.

The potential potholes go beyond those players. Several more Mariners starting Monday have done well vs. Mikolas. Eugenio Suarez has a career on-base plus slugging percentage vs. Mikolas of 1.703, powered by his four homers in 22 at-bats.

Last time out, Mikolas picked up his first win in more than month. His six-inning, one-run effort vs. the Athletics on Tuesday was one of his better efforts of the season.

His ability to strike out Mariners batters and avoid the home run could be key to Mikolas' fortunes. The Mariners strike out at the sixth-highest rate in baseball since the break.

With 74 homers, Seattle has the second-most in baseball since the break. That includes five in each of the last two games, a big part of why Seattle has scored 28 runs total over the past two games.

Mikolas, for his part, allows homers at one of the highest rates in baseball.

Seattle is powered by catcher Cal Raleigh and his MLB-best 53 home runs, one of baseball's most valuable players, and Julio Rodriguez, one of the game's best since early July.Ìý

For the Mariners, 25-year-old right-hander Bryan Woo (12-7, 3.02 ERA), the team's most valuable starter, will take the hill. The Cardinals will face Seattle's top two starters by wins above replacement this series.

TheÌýCardinals are 72-72 after taking two of three from the Giants over the weekend. They're back at .500 for the first time in nearly a month.

The Cardinals have baseball's toughest remaining strength of schedule, with a combined .556 winning percentage, according to Elias and the team.

The Mariners are 75-68 and 2 1/2Ìýgames behind the Astros in the American League West. They hold the third and final wild-card spot.

Alec Burleson activated, Nick Raquet called up

Before the game, the CardinalsÌýactivated outfielder/first baseman Alec Burleson from the 10-day injured list. Burleson was sidelined with right wrist inflammation.

The Redbirds also called up left-handed pitcher Nick Raquet from Triple-A Memphis.

Pitcher Andre Granillo was optioned to Memphis and utility man Garrett Hampson was designated for assignment.

How to watch Cardinals at Mariners

When:Ìý8:40 p.m. Monday

Where:ÌýT-Mobile Park in Seattle

TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the as well as .

Your options to watch: Input your ZIP code and see your choices for watching Cardinals games.

Lineups

CARDINALS

1. Lars Nootbaar, LF

2. Iván Herrera, DH

3. Alec Burleson, 1B

4. Nolan Gorman, 3B

5. Masyn Winn, SS

6. Jimmy Crooks, C

7. Thomas Saggese, 2B

8. Jordan Walker, RF

9. Victor Scott II, CF

P: Miles Mikolas, RHP

MARINERS

1. Randy Arozarena, LF

2. Cal Raleigh, C

3. Julio Rodríguez, CF

4. Josh Naylor, 1B

5. Jorge Polanco, DH

6. Eugenio Suárez, 3B

7. J.P. Crawford, SS

8. Victor Robles, RF

9. Leo Rivas, 2B

P: Bryan Woo, RHP

Injury report

Nolan Arenado, 3B (right shoulder strain):ÌýArenado took batting practice Monday at Busch Stadium and will return to do the same Tuesday against some pitchers from Class A Peoria. If that goes well, Arenado will begin his rehab assignment Wednesday at Class AA Springfield. Arenado said his goal is to return to the Cardinals on Sept. 15 when they host Cincinnati.ÌýÌýUpdated Sept. 8

Brendan Donovan, 2B (sprained toe/left groin):ÌýAfter taking live batting practice on Monday at Busch Stadium, Donovan traveled to Springfield, Missouri, where he will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with six innings at second base. The Cardinals are open to the possibility that Donovan spends two or three games with the Class AA S-Cards and then joins them in Milwaukee and is active for this weekend.ÌýUpdated Sept. 8

John King, LHP (mid-back strain):ÌýLefty threw live batting practice Monday at Busch Stadium against teammates Arenado and Donovan. King will head to Class AA Springfield to throw Wednesday in the official beginning of his rehab assignment. King’s back injury is believed to be related to the left oblique strain that landed him on the IL near the end of July and kept him sidelined through the first three weeks of August.ÌýUpdated Sept. 8

Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain):ÌýLefty starter remains on a throwing program in Jupiter, trying to overcome some setbacks as he increased the intensity of his throws through the course of the season. He's visited 51ºÚÁÏ for evaluation to monitor if the injury worsens. Thompson has been sidelined since the start of March and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in early April. There is no timetable for his return to the mound.ÌýUpdated Aug. 6