Manager Fredi Gonzalez named his starting rotation for Spring Training. Now, according to Mark Bowman, beat writer for the Atlanta Braves, if things remain this way, Medlen will receive the ball on Opening Day 2013 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Currently, in the Braves' Spring Training schedule, there are 36 games set to be played including split squad matches. Cue in Kevin Hart, you see, the way the Braves starting rotation is set up, Medlen is set up to be the ace of the staff meaning Hudson will step down as the No. 1 guy in Atlanta.
There's no way you can blame Gonzalez for this change. Hudson has been dominant in his last couple of seasons. In fact, he's been one of the best pitchers in baseball going 49-26 in the last three years. However, following Medlen's dominating 10-1 record with a 1.57 ERA, the last thing you would do is not give this man the ball on Opening Day.
Gonzalez already proved he trusted Medlen after naming him the 2012 Wild Card Game starter. Who knows? If Chipper fields that potential double play cleanly, the Braves might have gone further in the playoffs. David Ross had alreay given Medlen a 2-0 lead.
There are still chances Hudson could be named the starter of the Opening Day 2013. Bowman broke it down in these tweets.
Why the ambiguity? Basically, it looks like Gonzalez is giving himself and his starting rotation room for error.
What if Medlen isn't lights out in Spring Training or Hudson proves weak early on in the season? Gonzalez is able to maneuver the rotation to help the Braves put their best pitcher on the mound on Opening Day.
One key thing to focus on, if Medlen starts, then the Braves rotation will sandwich left-handers Mike Minor and Paul Maholm between the right-handed pitchers.
Either way, one thing is for sure, the Braves will have a very dominant third pitcher in their rotation who can compete against any ace of any other staff.
The Braves hope their pitching can be as dominant as last year's when they finished fifth in the majors in ERA.
Who would you prefer as the Braves Opening Day starter? Is it time to bring in the new school or should Hudson still be the ace?
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