Hendricks gets call for Game 2 against Garcia
ST. LOUIS— Right-hander KyleHendricks, who had an impressive finish to his first full season in the majors, got the nod to start Game 2 Saturday against the Cardinals.
Hendricks (8-7, 3.95 ERA) closed out the season with 13 consecutive scoreless innings— part of the 0.30-ERA stretch for the rotation during the nine-game winning streak (wild-card game included) that they carry into the Division Series opener Friday.
“You saw his last couple of games,” manager JoeMaddon said of the decision. “He’s been really sharp. The fact that he could put the ball on the ground matters a lot, too; keep the ball out of the air.”
Hendricks will face left-hander Jaime Garcia (10-6, 2.43).
Jason Hammel (10-7, 3.74) would follow ace Jake Arrieta in a potential Game 4 start at Wrigley unless he’s needed out of the bullpen early in the series, Maddon said.
The Cardinals’ MichaelWacha (17-7, 3.38) goes against Arrieta in Game 3, with Lance Lynn (12-11, 3.03) in a possible Game 4.
Cooler heads
Cubs All-Star Anthony Rizzo was targeted by the Cardinals in at least two series. During the most recent one three weeks ago in Chicago, Maddon ripped the so-called CardinalWay and calling the Cardinals a “vigilante group.”
Rizzo was the voice of reason on the subject of tensions heating between rivals with so much at stake a day after the bench-clearing incident in Pittsburgh.
“You’ve got the whole country watching this,” Rizzo said. “You’ve got a lot of kids who look up to us watching those games. You don’t want to get into a brawl there and throw punches and get suspended. We’re setting an example for a lot of people.
“I’m happy with the way our guys handled [Wednesday night]. Obviously, tensions flared. But it’s a good thing knowing no one got hurt, and there was nothing serious.”
No Motte
Right-hander Jason Motte, the Cubs’ closer for a month this season, has progressed far enough in a strength-building throwing program that he says he’s ready to join the playoff roster any round the Cubs feel they need him.
Maddon said that won’t be the Division Series but didn’t rule out adding Motte— the National League saves leader for the Cardinals in 2012— later in the postseason if the Cubs advance.
“I feel good,” Motte said. “I’m ready whenever they tell me to.”
Postseason stud
One reason the Cardinals have the edge in a game decided by the bullpens late is closer Trevor Rosenthal (2.10, 48 saves). He has a career 0.75 ERA in 21 postseason appearances (38 strikeouts, six unintentional walks in 24 innings).
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