Cards will see new Hendricks
ST. LOUIS— Why start
KyleHendricks against the Cardinals in Game 2 on Saturday? Because manager
JoeMaddon likes the idea of the Cardinals seeing a pitcher they haven’t seen this year.
Hendricks ( 8- 7, 3.95 ERA) faced the Cardinals on May 5 ( losing 7- 4 at Busch Stadium), but that pitcher isn’t remotely close to the same Hendricks who surged down the stretch and finished the season with 13 consecutive scoreless innings.
“It’s primarily really, really sharp strike throwing,” Maddon said of the difference. “His fastball was going better with that exceptional movement that he has. You’re going to theoretically see ground balls and then swingsandmisses on the changeup.”
Hendricks was in the midst of a rough start, with little command, when he faced the Cards inMay, hitting the first batter of the game, walking two, eventually blowing a 4- 1 lead and lasting just five innings.
He eventually rediscovered the mechanics and form that led to an impressive rookie season last year, with a 3.03 ERA in six September starts ( five Cubs victories).
“I was finally getting the ball down with some angle,” said Hendricks, who went six scoreless innings in each of his final two starts, both 1- 0 victories, over the Royals and Brewers. “I’m just trying to build off that, stay in the same zone, stay in my land and just make good pitches.”