You would’ve thought that after his 2016 season and performance in the postseason that more people would think higher of Kyle Hendricks. He was the Game 1 starter in this year’s NLDS against the Washington Nationals and once again showed off his brilliance. The Cubs took the series-opener, winning 3-0, behind Hendricks’ seven shutout innings.
Even with Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg no-hitting the Cubs through five innings, you never felt a panic because Hendricks was awesome too. He surrendered a total of two hits, walking three, while striking out six. In a game that featured 10 Strasburg strikeouts, it was Hendricks who ended up pitching better and leading the Cubs to a 1-0 edge in the series.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 7, 2017
You have to love Hendricks, who even the few times he got into some trouble remained calm as he’s known to do.
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Rizzo says something to Kyle Hendricks- Slight nod in return lol pic.twitter.com/w9OEkPAYJV
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) October 7, 2017
As far as the offense, the third time through the order was a killer for Strasburg, who dominated the Cubs through five. In the sixth, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo delivered consecutive RBI-singles with two outs.
Cubs 1-0. Bryant drives in Baez pic.twitter.com/L2K54eaCpk
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) October 7, 2017
Rizzo drives in Bryant. pic.twitter.com/wtTSs7Ok10
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) October 7, 2017
Rizzo came through again with two outs in the eighth, giving the Cubs some extra breathing room with an RBI-double.
Rizzo battled and drives in a run. pic.twitter.com/zp6BCjRPQg
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) October 7, 2017
Kyle Hendricks stepped up. The Cubs offense delivered when it got its chances and again we saw the Nationals cave. I love October baseball, especially when you’re a Cubs fan.
Jon Lester and Gio Gonzalez are the Game 2 starters on Saturday.
