Kris Medlen is indeed strong medicine for the Braves, and can even be credited for keeping Atlanta together when the team hit the skids. Medlen also had Tommy John surgery at the exact same time as Stephen Strasberg, and like it or not, you have to give Fredi Gonzalez and Roger McDowell credit for how they have managed his innings this season.

When Braves country was screaming for Medlen to get back to the rotation, Gonzalez and McDowell were making sure the young pitcher was ready for the role. Had he started the year as a starter, who knows how his arm would have held up. Managing innings wisely is the key, not shutting down your number one at playoff time.

The Braves are sitting with the Wild Card lead and the hottest starter in MLB, instead of embroiled in controversy because your star in on the bench. It is this management that just may earn Fredi Gonzalez Manager of the Year.