Fansided

X-Factors for each MLB playoff team

By Nathaniel Reeves

Sep 23, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) reacts to catcher Russell Martin (55) on his three run home run in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) reacts to catcher Russell Martin (55) on his three run home run in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 20, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Medlen (39) pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Medlen (39) pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas City Royals: Kris Medlen

Even with the best record in the A.L., the Royals are not without their share of concerns. Kansas City is playing its worst baseball at the wrong time, posting its first losing month in September so far and quickly losing fround to the Blue Jays for home field advantage.

The concern for the Royals this season has always been starting pitching, even with the deadline acquisition of Johnny Cueto. Cueto was supposed to be the ace that the Royals needed and leave them with only minor weaknesses, but has struggled mightily over his last five starts and could be nursing an injury.

Danny Duffy and Yordano Ventura have both regressed considerably from last season, although the latter has been better recentely. While Edison Volquez has been very good and should get the ball in Game 1 of the ALDS, he isn’t exactly a model of consistency.

Kris Medlen, Kansas City’s No. 5 starter, becomes huge down the stretch due to the struggles of the rest of the rotation. The 29-year-old missed all of 2014 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but has been solid over 43.2 innings this season with a 3.51 ERA (4.15 FIP) per FanGraphs.

It’s clear at this point that Medlen deserves a spot in Kansas City’s playoff rotation. Medlen was very good before the surgery as a member of the Atlanta Braves, so he has the potential to improve more and be a solid No. 3 for the Royals if Cueto doesn’t improve quickly.

The Royals only need to get to the game to their strong bullpen to have a good chance to win, so even a post-surgery Medlen could be effective enough. Kansas City’s rotation will need to show improvement to deal with Toronto’s powerful lineup if both teams were to advance to the ALCS.

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