Kyle Hendricks as a Strikeout Artist and Other Bullets

kyle hendricks cubs featureLots of bullpen notes and thoughts forthcoming, so I’m going to separate those out into another post.

  • With the game playing out as it did, it would be easy to lose sight of just how dominant Kyle Hendricks was (you can watch highlights here). The first six outs hit got in the game came via the strikeout, and he wound up striking out 12 in his 7.0 innings of work. Hendricks netted 21(!) whiffs on the day, which is absolutely enormous. Although he gave up a couple homers, he basically held serve with his ERA (it bumped from 2.17 to 2.19), and raised his strikeout rate from 21.2% (right about league average, which is 21.0%) to 22.3%. His FIP is down to 3.38, which is 14th best in baseball (keeping in mind that FIP – fielding independent pitching – would give Hendricks no credit for being the best pitcher in baseball at limiting hard contact and inducing weak contact). There’s just nothing here but positives for Hendricks, who has been the Cubs’ best pitcher this year (which is saying a whole lot).
  • Speaking of one of those homers – the one by Jedd Gyorko – that was his 10th since July 18, most in baseball (Cubs.com). Which. Like. Wut? Also, the Randal Grichuk grand slam that shut the door on the game? That was his 14th of the year, but his 4th against the Cubs, against whom he’s hitting .345/.367/.828 this year (despite terrible numbers against everyone else). Which. Like. Wut?[adinserter block=”1″]
  • One more on Hendricks: he’s now just the 4th Cubs starter in the last 30 years to allow 3 or fewer earned runs in 15 straight starts (Tribune). I bet I can name one of the other four, and it was really recent (Jake Arrieta’s streak actually reached an unthinkable 29 straight games between last year and this year). (Also, I did a quick check on Greg Maddux’s Cy Young season in 1992 – he had a streak like that … of 14 games.)
  • Hey, so Alex Reyes and Luke Weaver look like they could be pretty good for the Cardinals for a long time, eh?
  • We’ll get into it more and more as September approaches, but have you noticed just how banged up and/or struggling the other National League contenders are? It’s not just the Cubs. The Dodgers’ rotation is a mess. The Giants’ outfield is meh. The Cardinals have a bunch of injuries. The Pirates kinda sold off. The Nationals have a broken Bryce Harper. The Marlins’ rotation is a nightmare after Jose Fernandez (who is already having starts skipped to limit innings).
  • Josh Collmenter, whom the Cubs signed very recently to a minor league deal, is working out in Arizona (Cubs.com). It’s definitely not inconceivable that he could become a factor down the stretch if he works out whatever was troubling him earlier this year.
  • Luke is on the road this week, vacationing/checking out minor league Cubs action. For that reason, the Minor League Daily might not be quite as daily. I’ll be keeping tabs, though, and at a minimum will give you a heads up on notable stuff here in the Bullets. With apologies, though, I’m no Luke. A good place to start each day if you just want the numbers is the Cubs Affiliate Scoreboard.
  • Outfield prospect Donnie Dewees sure is taking to High-A. Promoted to Myrtle Beach 17 games ago, Dewees, 22, is hitting .329/.392/.500 after a four-hit game yesterday. He’s also already stolen 9 bases, and hasn’t been caught yet.[adinserter block=”2″]
  • Lefty Rob Zastryzny gave up a couple homers (that happens in Fresno), but he struck out 9 and walked just 1 over 5.0 innings of work last night, and has become something of a strikeout beast since his midseason promotion to Iowa (77 in 81.0 innings, including 22 in his last 16.0). When it comes to back-end depth starters for 2017 and beyond, Zastryzny, the Cubs’ 2nd round pick in 2013, is squarely on the radar.
  • If you’re looking for a fancy new water bottle, they’re on sale at Amazon today only.
  • Pfft:
  • [adinserter block=”3″]

    written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Enhanced Box Score: Braves 2, Cubs 0 – May 13, 2024

    Well that ninth inning rally started off great, with Cody Bellinger and Christopher Morel reaching, the latter on 12-pitch walk (the longest PA of his career). And then POOF. In just two pitches, the Cubs made three outs and the...

    Craig Counsell Was Just Thrown Out from the Dugout … by the First Base Umpire

    Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the toughest opponent the Cubs will face this season. But Seiya Suzuki is back, Cody Bellinger is back, and Shota Imanaga is on the mound. This Cubs team is...

    Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns (UPDATE)

    It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

    MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

    Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...

    Let’s See How They Measure Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

    Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

    MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

    Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

    For the Second Time in a Few Days, Birthday Boy Nico Hoerner Saved the Game

    A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...

    MLBits: Padres Best the Dodgers, Skenes Debut Reactions, Guardians New Threads, More

    The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...

    David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

    The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

    Latest News

    How to Watch Dodgers vs. Giants: Live Stream or on TV

    On Tuesday, Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15) face Thairo Estrada and the San Francisco Giants (19-23), with first pitch scheduled for 9:45 PM ET at Oracle Park.The article below will give you everything you need to watch...

    Cardinals vs. Angels: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24) visit Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (15-26) on Tuesday, with first pitch at 9:38 PM ET.See how to watch the St. Louis-Los Angeles matchup below.When is Cardinals vs. Angels and...

    Diamondbacks vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In a series opener on Tuesday, Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) take on Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.If you're trying to watch this...

    How to Watch Mariners vs. Royals: Live Stream or on TV

    On Tuesday, Josh Rojas and the Seattle Mariners (22-19) begin a series against Bobby Witt Jr. and the Kansas City Royals (25-17) at T-Mobile Park, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch...

    Padres vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Dylan Cease will take the ball for the San Diego Padres (22-21) when they host starter Cal Quantrill and the Colorado Rockies (12-28) on Tuesday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the San...

    Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees Series May 14-16: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    A three-game series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the visiting New York Yankees will begin on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET.Twins vs. Yankees Series Info Yankees @ Twins Time: Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET Twins Starting...

    Rangers vs. Guardians: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Tuesday, Jack Leiter will start for the Texas Rangers (22-20) against Ben Lively and the Cleveland Guardians (25-16), with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 PM ET at Globe Life Field.Keep reading to find out all the details on how...

    How to Watch Astros vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

    On Tuesday at 8:10 PM ET, Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (15-25) play Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics (19-23) at Minute Maid Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch Houston take...

    Craig Counsell Was Just Thrown Out from the Dugout … by the First Base Umpire

    Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...

    Red Sox vs. Rays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In a series opener on Tuesday, Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (21-19) play Isaac Paredes and the Tampa Bay Rays (20-21), with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at Fenway Park.Find out how to watch the Boston-Tampa...

    more cubs news