by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/14/2013) Cardinals starter Lance Lynn threw a career-high 124 pitches in his outing against the Mets on Monday night but told MLB.com on Tuesday that he does not worry about pitch counts. The right-hander has thrown at least 101 pitches in all but two of his eight starts this year.
"For me, pitch count has never been an issue my whole life," he said. "I would never put a ceiling on it. If they told me I could go out and throw 150 if the situation called for it, I would. And I don't think I would have any issues doing it."
Manager Mike Matheny added that he is not hesitant to push his starters deeper into their pitch counts.
"[Monday] was really the first day we really stretched somebody, and a lot of people say that 120 is really not a number to be concerned about," Matheny said. "Lance has been there many times, especially through his minor league career. It's something he can handle.
"If we see something early that we don't like, it doesn't matter if it's on pitch 20 or 120, we've got to respond more to what we see and how they feel and the information they give us back. We watch these guys pretty close and see them enough to know when there are little issues, hopefully before they become big issues."
Lance Lynn wild but earns sixth win
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/13/2013) After taking his first loss his last time out, Cardinals starter Lance Lynn got back in the win column on Monday night against the Mets. He allowed three runs on four hits over seven innings of work in a 6-3 victory.
The right-hander gave up all of his damage in the second and permitted just two baserunners over his final five frames. He threw 75 of his career-high 124 pitches for strikes.
Lynn also struck out seven and walked five while earning his sixth win.
His next start is scheduled for Saturday against the Brewers. Lynn went 2-1 with a 1.62 ERA in four appearances (two starts) against Milwaukee last season.
Lance Lynn outdueled for first loss
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn made his fourth straight quality start in Tuesday's series opener against the Cubs but it was not enough to overcome his counterpart -- Travis Wood. He allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings of work in the 2-1 loss.
The right-hander surrendered a two-run homer to Nate Schierholtz in the fourth inning for his lone damage. He threw 70 of his 101 pitches for strikes and lowered his ERA to 2.72 on the outing.
Lynn also struck out eight and walked one while taking his first loss.
His next start is scheduled for Monday against the Mets.
Lance Lynn throws seven strong against Reds
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Cardinals starter Lance Lynn was sharp in a win over the Reds on Wednesday, as he allowed just one run on five hits and two walks over seven innings.
Lynn struck out five Reds and didn't allow a home run. He fired 19 first-pitch strikes to 27 batters and was generally sharp all day. His ERA fell to 2.75.
Lance Lynn holds Phillies to one hit in win
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn was back on his game Saturday, holding the Phillies scoreless in seven innings by allowing one hit and three walks while striking out eight to move to 3-0.
Lynn has alternated between great and poor starts over the first few weeks. He'll face the Pirates at home Friday.
Lance Lynn sees backing for second win
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn picked up his second win on Monday night against the Pirates. He allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings of work in a 10-6 victory.
The right-hander gave up a run in the first before running into trouble in the third. In that frame, he surrendered an RBI double to Andrew McCutchen before Neil Walker hit a two-run homer.
Lynn (2-0) was done after throwing 99 pitches, 65 for strikes, and struck out four while walking three.
His next start is scheduled for Saturday against the Phillies. In one start against Philadelphia last season, Lynn allowed four runs over five innings in a no-decision.
Lance Lynn Ks 10 for first win
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) Cardinals starter Lance Lynn did not have the finest season debut but was much sharper on Tuesday night against the Reds. He allowed one run on four hits over six innings of work in a 5-1 win.
The right-hander put two men on the fourth before giving up a sac fly to Brandon Phillips for his lone damage.
Lynn (1-0) also struck out 10 and walked one while throwing 101 pitches, 66 for strikes.
His next start is scheduled for Monday against the Pirates. He went 2-1 with a 4.44 ERA in five appearances (four starts) against Pittsburgh last season.
Lance Lynn falls apart late vs. D-Backs
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Cardinals starter Lance Lynn did not have his finest showing in his season debut Wednesday night against the Diamondbacks. He allowed four runs on six hits over four-plus innings of work.
Lynn surrendered a solo homer to the first batter he faced -- Gerardo Parra -- but it would be his only damage over the first four frames.
In the fifth, the right-hander gave up three straight hits to begin the inning and allowed a run to score on a wild pitch before being pulled for Randy Choate, who allowed two inherited runners to score.
Lynn, who threw 94 pitches, did not factor into the decision.
He also struck out three and walked three.
Look to Lance Lynn Week 1
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/31/2013) Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn didn't have a banner spring (2-3, 4.94 ERA), but Fantasy owners need to consider starting him Week 1 (March 31-April 7).
Lynn (started 65 percent of leagues) ended the spring on a high note, going 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA in his last two starts. He also struck out 10 and walked just two in his final 11 2/3 innings.
Lynn's season debut will come Wednesday at Arizona. Lynn hasn't allowed a run in three career outings (one start) against the Diamondbacks. Lynn won his only start at Chase Field, which came in 2012, by firing five scoreless innings and striking out seven. I also like the fact he will be opposing Brandon McCarthy, who was winless in five spring starts, while posting a 5.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.
Lance Lynn finally delivers
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/28/2013) You know, I've been a little reluctant to draft the Cardinals' Lance Lynn over the last couple weeks, often skipping over him for Marco Estrada and Josh Beckett in my rankings, because he's been so hittable this spring. In and of itself, that wouldn't bother me, but with his dramatic weight loss this offseason changing his body type to the point that his mechanics are inherently different, struggles of that magintude are a cause for concern.
Needless to say, his six shutout innings against the Marlins Thursday, in which he allowed two hits with no walks and five strikeouts, are cause for relief.
I'm still not entirely sure what to expect from Lynn this season, either mechanically or statistically, but I'm feeling kind of silly for avoiding him now.
Then again, I really like Estrada and Beckett.
Lance Lynn to pitch in Arizona series
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/27/2013) Cardinals manager Mike Matheny announced Wednesday starting pitcher Lance Lynn will make his regular season debut next Wednesday against the Diamondbacks. He will finish out the three-game series after Adam Wainwright starts in the opener and Jaime Garcia pitches in the second game. Lynn is 1-3 with a 6.62 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through five spring starts.
Lance Lynn not worried about results
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/23/2013) Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn allowed three runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings of a 6-5 loss to Miami in a Grapefruit League game Saturday. Lynn, scheduled to start the third game of the regular season at Arizona, struck out five and walked two. He also hit consecutive batters to open the fourth inning.
An 18-game winner last year, Lynn has struggled after losing about 30 pounds during the offseason. The right-hander has a 6.62 spring ERA in 17 2/3 innings over five starts.
"Better, and that's what you're looking for every time out," he said. "I'm getting to be where I want to be and where I need to be for the first week of the season. I'm not worried about good or bad outings, it's about improving every time out."
Slimmer Lance Lynn working on reshaped delivery
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/18/2013) Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn spent the offseason dropping 40 pounds from his hulking frame that was listed at 250 pounds at the beginning of the 2012 campaign. Now he is attempting to shed his old delivery in spring training as he adjusts to a slimmer physique that has provided him more movement in the windup.
"When you have a different body type you’re going to have a little more flexibility compared to the lack of flexibility at times I’ve had in the past," Lynn told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It’s knowing now where and how far I can push things. ... The delivery is getting there. It’s just off a touch."
So far, the right-hander has experienced inconsistent results as he has completed four innings only once in four Grapefruit League starts and is carrying a lowly 7.50 ERA. After averaging more than a strikeout per inning last season, Lynn has fanned just five batters this spring.
Lance Lynn run over again
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn was charged with five runs and nine hits in only 3 2/3 innings during St. Louis' 6-0 loss to Miami in a Grapefruit League game Sunday. Lining up to be the team's No. 3 starter, Lynn permitted multiple runs for the third time in his four starts this spring as his ERA ballooned to 7.50.
The right-hander, who is entering his second full season in the starting rotation, finished with two walks and one strikeout. "There were a lot of things that didn't work out in the end for him today, but I thought it was a day of moving forward from his last start," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said of Lynn's effort.
Lynn improves despite loss
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/11/2013) Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn dropped to 1-2 on the spring Monday, despite a strong outing against the Yankees. Lynn allowed one run on two hits and one walk in four innings, but New York won the game, 4-0, sending Lynn to the loss. Lynn's only mistake was yielding a solo homer to Kevin Youkilis in the fourth inning, which broke open a scoreless game. Lynn managed one strikeout and lowered his spring ERA from 8.31 to 5.40. He threw 44 of 68 pitches for strikes. "You go out there every day to try to fine tune," Lynn said, per MLB.com. "I just wanted to make sure I threw all my pitches and try to get ahead. I didn't have the best success at that, but I was able to make the pitches later in the count to get the ground ball and things like that. I felt pretty good."
Another shaky effort for Lynn
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/4/2013) Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn, who will presumably have a rotation spot in 2013 after going 18-7 with a 3.78 ERA last year, isn't off to the greatest start this spring. After allowing a two-run homer to Mets catcher John Buck in his two innings of work Wednesday, he allowed two runs -- three earned -- on five hits in 2 1/'3 innings Monday against the Twins. He was reportedly working on his slider in the game. "I think he's right on pace and where he should be," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "He's just getting built up. When guys go in with a plan, they need to stick with their plan through spring training. The foolish thing to do is back off when you're not getting the exact results you want."
Lynn happy with strikes
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (2/27/2013) A two-run homer by catcher John Buck marred what was otherwise a decent spring debut for Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn. The right-hander, who arrived at camp 40 pounds lighter than last year, allowed two runs on four hits with no walks and three strikeouts in two innings. Of his 27 pitches, 20 were strikes. "You always just want to get out there and make sure you feel good," he said. "For the most part, I was throwing the ball where I wanted to and was throwing strikes, so it was good for the first time out. I wasn't worried about giving up hits or striking anyone out. I just wanted to throw at the strike zone, so 20 of 27 pitches for strikes, I will take that any day. That's a good one to build off of."
Manager 'proud' of Lynn
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/11/2013) The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn has arrived to camp having lost at least 25 pounds. “I’m proud of him. I’m happy for him,” manager Mike Matheny said. “Now, that does that translate into 28 wins instead of 18? But what we do know is that he took a huge step in his career and in his maturity in taking control of his career. He’ll reap the benefits of it.” Matheny said Lynn is also motivated after he wasn't guaranteed a rotation spot despite having a big year in 2012. “I know (that) made Lance a little frustrated,” Matheny said. “I told him, ‘We want you coming in competing for a spot. We don’t want you rolling in thinking this is yours.’”
Rotation spot opened for Lynn
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/5/2013) The Cardinals announced Tuesday starting pitcher Chris Carpenter is unlikely to pitch this season because of continued problems with his right shoulder, arm and neck. His absence likely means Lance Lynn has secured a spot in the rotation, with Shelby Miller, Joe Kelly and Trevor Rosenthal figuring into the mix for the final spot in the rotation, if the team doesn't add any outside help.
Lynn has edge for rotation spot
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (1/20/2013) The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Lance Lynn will head into spring training with the best chance of filling the fifth spot in the Cardinals' rotation. General manager John Mozeliak said that Lynn was the “frontrunner” in the competition, but added, “It’s not something that I would advise him to lay down and just think it’s his job.” Joe Kelly, Trevor Rosenthal and Shelby Miller will also be given consideration for the final rotation spot.
