by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/24/2013) Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen had a quality start but failed to factor in the decision Friday night against the Mets.
Medlen surrendered a run-scoring single to Lucas Duda in the first, a solo home run to John Buck in the fourth and a run-scoring single to Marlon Byrd in the fifth. The right-hander was charged with three runs and seven hits over six innings. He struck out nine and walked one on 110 pitches.
Medlen has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last five starts. He is 0-2 with a 3.06 ERA over that span. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at home against Toronto. He is 0-2 with a 2.08 ERA in four starts at Turner Field.
Kris Medlen not back to 2012 form yet
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/19/2013) Although Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen allowed an unearned run in seven innings during a no-decision Saturday against the Dodgers, the right-hander was not happy he walked three batters.
"That adds more pitches to my pitch count," Medlen told MLB.com. "I could have gone eight [innings] and handed the ball off to Craig [Kimbrel]. It's just frustrating. But the good news is I don't feel as good as I should. I felt good last night, but my delivery didn't feel as consistent as I want it to."
Medlen has issued 22 walks through 56 2/3 innings, which is one fewer than he allowed in 138 innings last year. Medlen has started to improve in May behind a 2.73 ERA in his last four starts and having gone at least seven innings in three of those outings. But he said he still needs to "clean it up a little bit."
"I think I set the bar pretty high for others," Medlen said of his performance last year. "But I also feel like I set the bar pretty high for myself. I want to be what I was last year every single time out. I'm not necessarily there yet. But I hope everything starts clicking and I can get back to just being more consistent with walks. I'd rather give up a line drive off the wall rather than walk guys."
Kris Medlen settles for no-decision
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/18/2013) Braves starter Kris Medlen turned in a solid performance but did not factor into the decision Saturday night against the Dodgers.
Medlen surrendered a run-scoring double to Skip Schumaker in the fourth, one of two hits he allowed in a 3-1 victory.
Medlen has not won a decision since April 9. He is slated to face the Mets Friday in New York. He went 3-0 with a 1.30 ERA in eight appearances (three starts) against the Mets last season.
Kris Medlen suffers fifth loss
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/12/2013) Braves starter Kris Medlen lost his fourth-straight decision and saw his winless stretch reach six outings after Sunday's loss to the Giants. Medlen, whose win came in his first start on April 4, allowed five runs (three earned) on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings in the 5-1 loss. He allowed three solo home runs, including one to Marco Scutaro in the fifth.
Medlen (1-4) was pulled after issuing a one-out walk to Pablo Sandoval in the sixth. He finished with a season-high five walks. He struck out one.
The right-hander will look to snap his losing streak when he faces the Dodgers at home Saturday. Medlen is 0-2 with a 2.84 ERA in three starts at Turner Field.
Kris Medlen settles for no-decision
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen enjoyed a quality performance but failed to factor into the decision Tuesday night against the Reds.
Medlen, who made his seventh start of the season, served up a solo home run to Shin-Soo Choo in the third and surrendered a run-scoring single to Donald Lutz in the fifth for his only damage of the night. The right-hander was charged with two runs and four hits in seven innings of work in a 5-4 defeat. He struck out six and walked two in 99 pitches, 68 strikes.
Medlen has served up three homers in his last three starts. He has allowed 10 runs in 19 1/3 innings over that stretch. The 27-year-old is scheduled to start Sunday at San Francisco. He has allowed three runs in three innings of work over his last two relief appearances at AT&T Park.
Kris Medlen still looking good
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) One of the biggest questions entering this season was whether Braves starter Kris Medlen could sustain his success from last season, and the early returns are not great. Of course, focusing on that is an easy way to lose perspective and fail to realize how solid Medlen has been anyway through his first six starts. He just has not been the Cy Young-caliber pitcher he was in the second half of 2012.
Medlen is just 1-4 but, with a 3.38 ERA, he can hardly be blamed for that. He has lost three starts in a row, despite tossing two quality starts; the Braves just have not given him support this season. Medlen has pitched more than well enough to have a winning record, so the wins should come before long.
Medlen has seen his strikeout rate drop to 6.27 per nine innings, 1.5 lower than his rate a year ago. That has to be disappointing for Fantasy owners, but they can take solace in knowing that his velocity is practically the same across the board as his breakout season. He might not be missing as many bats, but there are no physical reasons underlying that, so he could turn things around with one big start.
Medlen starts twice in Week 6 (May 6-12), once in Cincinnati and once in San Francisco. The parks are on opposing ends of the spectrum when it comes to friendliness to pitchers, so his talent should be the difference maker. Medlen should be considered a strong start Fantasy option for the upcoming scoring format.
Kris Medlen drops third straight
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/2/2013) Despite tossing his fourth quality start in his last five, Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen earned his third straight loss and fourth of the season, 3-1, to the Nationals.
Medlen was solid again, holding Washington to three runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. He struck out eight batters and walked three.
He allowed one run in the first inning and two more in the third, which was enough as the Braves failed to score multiple runs for the second time in his six starts. Medlen has a 3.38 ERA, but is just 1-4. He has 26 strikeouts and 12 walks in 37 1/3 innings of work, with a 1.37 WHIP.
Medlen is set to make his next start Tuesday against the Reds in Cincinnati.
Kris Medlen drops third decision
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/27/2013) Braves starter Kris Medlen was touched up for two homers over 5 1/3 innings Saturday in a loss at Detroit.
Medlen was not sharp as he allowed five earned runs on 10 hits and two walks. Jhonny Peralta belted a two-run shot off him in the second inning and Omar Infante added a two-run blast in the fourth.
Medlen, who struck out three, needed 108 pitches just to pitch one out into the sixth.
The 27-year-old falls to 1-3 on the year with a still-solid 3.26 ERA. He's dropped back-to-back games and has allowed eight earned runs over that span of 11 1/3 frames. Medlen will look to turn it around when he next takes the mound Thursday against Washington.
Kris Medlen trimming walk rate
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/21/2013) Braves pitcher Kris Medlen (1-2) surrendered season highs in runs (three) and hits (seven) over six innings during a 4-2 loss at Pittsburgh Sunday. The three runs allowed matched the season total Medlen allowed in his previous three starts as his ERA jumped to 2.16.
The right-hander failed to preserve a 2-0 lead in the second inning and permitted another run in the sixth inning while taking his second loss. Last season, he finished with only one defeat in 50 appearances (12 starts). Medlen also struck out a season-high six batters and walked just one, giving him just one walk over his past two starts (13 innings).
He earns the nod again Friday at Detroit, a team he held to one run in 6 2/3 innings during his only start against it in 2010.
Kris Medlen Ks five in no-decision
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen turned in another quality outing but did not factor in the decision during Tuesday's contest against the Royals.
Medlen, who made his third start of the season, surrendered a solo home run to Chris Getz in the third and allowed a run-scoring single to Jeff Francoeur in the fourth. The right-hander was charged with two runs -- one earned -- and six hits in seven innings of work in a 6-3 victory. He also struck out five and did not issue a walk in 99 pitches, 73 for strikes.
Medlen has a 1.42 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He is scheduled to face the Pirates in Pittsburgh Sunday. Medlen did not allow a run in three innings of work against the Pirates last season.
Kris Medlen bounces back
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/9/2013) After losing for the first time in 24 starts his last time out, Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen got back on track with a quality outing during Tuesday's contest against the Marlins.
Medlen (1-1), who made his second start this season, allowed Rob Brantly to drive in an unearned run on a sacrifice fly in the second inning for his only damage of the night. The right-hander gave up one run on three hits over eight innings of work in a 3-2 victory. He also struck out two and walked three on 102 pitches, 67 strikes.
Medlen, who has a 1.38 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP through two starts, will take the mound again Tuesday at home against the Royals. The 27-year-old has yet to face the Royals in his career. He went 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA in 27 games (seven starts) at home last season and has allowed two runs over five innings of work this season at Turner Field.
Kris Medlen's start to 2013 flukier than end to 2012
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/5/2013) No doubt, the Braves' Kris Medlen struggled in his first start Thursday, issuing four walks and lasting only five innings against the Phillies, but he said he was rushing and keeping the ball up -- two issues that also plagued him spring training. Both sound correctable, but are both believable?
I think so. Even if you don't entirely buy Medlen's strong finish to 2012, you have to appreciate just how unusual it is for him to walk four batters in agame. He issued no more than two walks in any of his 50 appearances, including 12 starts, last year, and he did that only three times. The last time he walked even three batters in a game, much less four, was in 2009, his rookie year.
Even if he's not the ace he was late last year, Medlen is a control artist. Because the latter clearly didn't apply Thursday, I'm still willing to believe the former.
Kris Medlen struggles early in debut
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) The Braves lost for the first time in 24 starts by Kris Medlen Thursday against the Phillies. Medlen (0-1) was outdueled by Cliff Lee and yielded two runs in the second inning for his only damage of the night.
Ben Revere drove in a run on a fielder's choice and Chase Utley scored another on a sacrifice fly. The right-hander was charged with two runs, five hits and four walks in five innings of work in a 2-0 defeat. He also struck out three as his ERA rose to 3.60 after his season debut.
"I made some adjustments. I felt like I was rushing a little bit in the very beginning," Medlen told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "It's something I felt the entire spring. I left some balls up. Obviously the walks stood out; I think I've been up here long enough that you know that I don't walk people."
Medlen is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday at Miami. He went 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP in five appearances (three starts) against the Marlins last season.
Kris Medlen makes adjustments ahead of start
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen's rough spring was well publicized and has many Atlanta fans and Fantasy owners worried heading into Medlen's first start of the season Thursday against the Phillies.
However, Medlen remains confident his troubles are behind him after staying behind in Florida to pitch in a minor-league game and throwing a bullpen session Tuesday.
"It was better," Medlen said, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Sure, I was facing some minor-league guys, but they were some Triple-A guys and I got crushed in Triple-A last year. So, for me, everything felt better. I made a couple little adjustments. I’m trying to stay back a little longer. (That) helped my location and I made more quality pitches."
Medlen allowed one run on four hits and no walks in four innings during the minor-league game. He struck out three.
"Still trying to work on the curveball," Medlen said. "I think I’m overthrowing it a little bit -- casting it out, I think, and it’s getting a little flat. But I thought I made some progress (with) that last start."
Stick with Kris Medlen Week 1?
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/31/2013) It's not hard to notice Fantasy owners' excitement about Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen has dwindled after the rough spring the right-hander endured. While Medlen heads into Week 1 (March 31-April 7) with an ownership percentage of 97, he's only being started in 82 percent of leagues. A 7.23 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 23 2/3 spring innings will do that.
Medlen will try to put those memories behind him when he makes his season debut Thursday against the Phillies and opposite Cliff Lee. I wish I had a number to give Fantasy owners to feel more confident about Medlen heading into Week 1, but I don't. In fact, he has a 5.32 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 13 career games (two starts) against the Phillies and posted an 8.10 ERA in three relief outings against Philadelphia last season.
Unless you have a better option Week 1, which seems doubtful in most formats since you likely used a high draft pick on Medlen, then you just have to hope the right-hander saved his best stuff for the regular season.
Time to panic about Kris Medlen?
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen's last two spring starts have been ugly and that's putting it kindly. Medlen has been tagged for 14 runs on 22 hits in his last 10 innings, sending his ERA soaring from 2.63 to 7.23 and sending Fantasy owners into a frenzy.
While his outing Monday against the Phillies was alarming, Sunday's debacle against the Nationals could be explained by 30 mph winds. Though, some of the most alarming stats for Medlen is the fact he's allowed 30 hits in 21 2/3 innings and has surrendered four homers. He allowed just 6.7 hits per nine innings last season and gave up six homers in 138 innings.
Medlen said his main problem this spring has been poorly located sinkers he's left over the plate. Though, Medlen is showing little concern.
"You’re going to get pitches that you go to during the year that you normally make," he said, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "and they’re just not there yet. For me, they’ll come and I’m just not worried or anything. I mean, it’s something I’ve done my entire life, figure out my delivery and figure out my pitches."
Despite some rough outings, I'm not ready to consider Medlen a bust heading into the 2013 season. While it's going to be tough for him to match what he did as a starter last season, he still has great potential and his relief-pitcher eligibility is huge in Head-to-Head formats, where Medlen has been the second-highest drafted reliever.
Kris Medlen blown away again
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) With winds swirling around 30 mph, Braves pitcher Kris Medlen was tagged for six runs and eights hits over five innings during Atlanta's 9-3 Grapefruit League loss to Washington on Sunday. It was the second straight outing Medlen has permitted at least six runs as his ERA has increased from 2.63 to 7.23 over his past two starts. The right-hander, who finished with three strikeouts and two walks, said he had trouble holding his delivery in the windy conditions.
"Overall just an uncomfortable day," Medlen told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I wouldn’t say it was the worst (start), because I think the last one was probably the worst. But just overall uncomfortable. Just windy, and they put some pretty good swings on the ball."
Kris Medlen is Braves' third starter
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013)Kris Medlen will open the season as the Braves' No. 3 starter, manager Fredi Gonzalez announced.
The 27-year-old was fantastic for the club last year, posting a 1.57 ERA and a 2.42 FIP in 138 innings.
Medlen’s spot in the rotation shouldn’t impact his value. Paul Maholm claimed the second spot in the rotation, but that’s primarily because he’s a lefty. Medlen has a chance to be the club's best pitcher this season, even though Tim Hudson and Maholm are the top starters on the depth chart.
Braves yet to announce opening day starter
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/20/2013) MLB.com reports the Braves haven't announced yet whether Tim Hudson or Kris Medlen will start opening day (April 1) against the Phillies. Although, it's becoming apparent Hudson is on track to get the nod. Hudson is scheduled to pitch seven innings Thursday, which will be followed by his final spring start Tuesday. It would put him in line to start opening day.
Kris Medlen suffers rare hiccup
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/18/2013) Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen endured an uncommonly poor outing, allowing nine runs and 14 hits over five innings of a 17-10 Grapefruit League win over Philadelphia on Monday. Medlen needed 84 pitches to get through 29 batters in his fifth outing of the spring. The right-hander had allowed just four runs in his previous 13 2/3 innings this spring. Medlen, who was 9-0 with a 0.97 ERA after joining the Braves' rotation in July, saw his spring ERA go from 2.63 to 6.27.
Braves pitcher Kris Medlen makes a statement
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/14/2013) This morning when I came in, colleague Al Melchior immediately asked me if I watched the Braves-Marlins game. Why? "Kris Medlen was nasty," he said, and he wanted me to revel in said nastiness. Consider this my delayed revelry. After a breakthrough in the second half last season that seemed too good to be true, Medlen has been under close scrutiny this spring, and the early returns weren't so great. But when he's working with less than his full arsenal, his stuff is going to be hittable. That's part of what makes him such an interesting case. The return of the nastiness as he begins to mix in his first arsenal is a positive sign indeed.
Kris Medlen checks out fine
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/14/2013) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen, who was hit by two line drives Wednesday against the Marlins, checked out fine Thursday morning after meeting with the team trainer. Medlen was hit by liners on his left shoe in the fourth inning and his right arm in the fifth. Medlen was pulled for precautionary reasons after tossing 4 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and struck out three.
"It's tightening up a tad bit, but I don't anticipate any changes in scheduling," Medlen said after his start Wednesday. "It feels fine. Ready to go for next time."
Medlen, who was hit on the back of his triceps, is 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA and 0.81 WHIP through four spring starts (13 2/3 innings). He also has 10 strikeouts and has issued just one walk.
Medlen shines against Miami
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/13/2013) Atlanta starter Kris Medlen took the bump on Wednesday night during a Grapefruit League start against Miami. The Braves' ace couldn't finish five full innings but was sharp nevertheless. He allowed just two hits over 4 2/3 scoreless and he didn't walk a batter. Medlen struck out three in the outing and his spring ERA is now at 2.63. Medlen has allowed just four earned runs this spring over 13 2/3 innings with 10 Ks. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Medlen was struck in his right triceps and suffered a little tightness, but it is not considered serious and he's expected to make his next scheduled spring start.
Medlen has shaky outing
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/8/2013) Braves right-hander Kris Medlen, who entered the game with only one earned run allowed in five innings this spring, surrendered three on five hits over four innings Friday against the Blue Jays. He issued no walks and recorded three strikeouts. "I was getting ahead of hitters, but I was getting the ball too far over the plate," Medlen said. "I was ahead, but I couldn't put them away. I threw strikes, but they were strikes that were too good." Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez agreed with Medlen's assessment. "He was around the plate and that's what matters right now," Gonzalez said. "He's fine. I'm not worried about a spring training game."
Medlen settles after serving HR
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/2/2013) Atlanta starting pitcher Kris Medlen surrendered a two-out solo home run to Carlos Pena of the Astros in the first inning on Saturday in his Grapefruit League start. He settled down after that, however, and retired the final seven batters he faced. He finished with two strikeouts over three innings and didn't allow another hit. His ERA on the spring is now at 1.80 for the Braves.
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/25/2013) Braves pitcher Kris Medlen began his spring training schedule Monday by firing two scoreless innings against the Marlins. Medlen allowed a pair of hits, but that was it. He also struck out two before his day ended.
Medlen gets raise from Braves
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (1/19/2013) The Braves avoided arbitration with pitcher Kris Medlen on Friday, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $2.6 million. Medlen's success as a starter over the final two months of the regular season last year is credited with his price increase, reports MLB.com.
