Chicago Cubs News: Missed opportunities in loss; Offense will improve

It became common to see the Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks dominate his opponent last season, but this year hasn’t started that way. Hendricks allowed three runs, but it was the missed chances on offense that stung the most.

With the way the Chicago Cubs started last season, it makes anything less seem sub par. That’s likely why 6-4 feels like 0-10. And then two straight starts by Kyle Hendricks in which he allowed three or more runs? What’s going on here?! Well, this happened last year before the Ivy League grad turned into a superstar on the mound. And this offense isn’t going to keep letting these chances go by. A 4-2 loss to the Pirates is still a loss, but we need to be looking at the bigger picture.

The Cubs missed some chances late in the Pirates game, but the offense was starting to come around as they finished up the series with the Dodgers. One thing to take note of is even with the struggles with the bats, the pitching has kept them in most games. The season isn’t off to the start it was last year, but that was a different year. The 2017 team is still finding it’s way.

After an MRI following his collision at home plate, Hector Rondon returned to the mound on Friday afternoon. The reliever showed no ill effects after hearing a “pop” in his knee, and the MRI verified there was no damage. Opinions on Rondon vary–as they do of every reliever–but he’s an important piece of the middle-relief that the Cubs can’t afford to lose.

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘Cubs unable to produce in loss to the Pirates’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Wasted opportunities cost the Cubs’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Players honor Robinson beyond his day’ – MLB.com

‘Takeaway’s from the Dodgers series’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Rondon looks to have escaped injury’ – Cubbies Crib

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