If you would have told me on opening day that the Chicago Cubs fifth starter, Kyle Hendricks, would be third in the big leagues when it comes to ERA a game after the All-Star break, I don’t know if I could have believed you.
After Hendricks sent three batters back to the dugout on strikes and only gave up three hits throughout six innings, only the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner of the Giants have a lower ERA.
Hendricks has been able to remain sharp for the Chicago Cubs despite the recent struggles of Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester.
Kyle Hendricks reacts to his 3rd best ERA in MLB, behind Kershaw and Bumgarner: "It's pretty good company."
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) July 15, 2016
Hendricks was given some run support from the Cubs lineup as they beat the Texas Rangers 6-0. Anthony Rizzo had a deep drive to right in the sixth which loaded the bases for Addison Russel who smacked a two-run single.
The at-bat was part of a sixth inning that produced 5 runs for the North Siders. The Cubs completed their eighth shutout of the season with the arms of Carl Edwards Jr., Travis Wood, Pedro Strop, and Justin Grimm.
The win put Hendricks at 8-6 for the season. Throughout his 104 innings pitched he has 89 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.02. His win Friday was against the club that made him an eighth-round pick in 2011 before he was dealt in a trade with Chicago that sent Ryan Dempster to the Rangers.
The Cubs will put Jason Hammel to work from the hill Saturday as he looks to put an end to a four-game losing streak against the Rangers. The right-hander has gone 0-4 throughout his last six trips to the mound with an ERA of 5.94. The Cubs will try to add-on to their two-game winning streak, the first one they have had since June 28 and 29 in Cincinnati.
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