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Pregame Notes: Kyle Hendricks, Cubs look for series win v. Padres

By Jake Misener

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After bouncing back to pick up a big win on Wednesday night, the Chicago Cubs will look to pick up a series win on Thursday at PETCO Park against the San Diego Padres. Chicago will send sophomore right-hander Kyle Hendricks to the hill in search of his first win of 2015.

Chicago (22-17) enters play Thursday night trailing the first-place St. Louis Cardinals by four games after the Redbirds fell in the series finale against the Mets earlier in the day. San Diego (20-21), meanwhile, sits in third in the National League West, 4 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and three games back of the second-place San Francisco Giants.

Hendricks (0-1, 5.15) has struck out 30 batters and walked just nine over his last eight outings. His last start came against the Pirates on May 15, when the right-hander allowed five earned in 5 2/3 innings – as Pittsburgh poured it on early before Chicago rallied for an 11-10 win late.

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It’s been an up-and-down season for the control pitcher, who broke out in a big way in 2014 as a rookie. This season has been much different – as he’s pitched six or more innings just one time this year. The good news: that start came against these Padres at Wrigley Field on April 18 when he allowed two runs in six innings of work.

He will be opposed by Odrisamer Despaigne, who is filling in for injured starter Brandon Morrow. Despaigne (2-2, 6.75) has allowed a staggering 15 earned runs in his last two starts combined, but has been notably better at home than on the road during his career.

First pitch is slated for 8:10 p.m. CT from San Diego. Comcast Sports Net will carry the broadcast in the Chicagoland area while 780 AM WBBM will have the radio call.

Here are tonight’s starting lineups:

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