Chicago Cubs: Kyle Hendricks’ postseason starts in review

Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Kyle Hendricks is quickly becoming the team’s best postseason pitcher. Let’s take a look back at his postseason history

Kyle Hendricks made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs on Jul. 10, 2014. That start, against the Reds, Hendricks allowed four earned runs and struck out seven in six innings pitched. As a whole, Hendricks’ rookie season was a success. In 13 starts, Hendricks posted a 7-2 record with a 2.46 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings pitched.

Over the next two seasons, Hendricks would do his best to cement his name in the Cubs’ starting rotation. In those two years, 2015 and 2016, Hendricks made 62 starts, appearing in 63 games. In that time, Hendricks posted a 3.02 ERA, won 24 games and had an ERA+ of 132. Along with that, Hendricks tossed three complete games and two shutouts.

There is no doubt Hendricks’ best season of his career came in 2016. The right-hander posted a 16-8 record with an ERA of 2.13. That sparkling ERA led the majors, propelling Hendricks to a third place finish in the National League Cy Young voting.

This season, Hendricks came back down to earth slightly. Hendricks made only 24 starts due to tendonitis in his throwing hand. Despite that, Hendricks posted a 7-5 record with a 3.03 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 139 2/3 innings pitched.

After throwing up the numbers Hendricks did in 2016, people stopped questioning the young right-hander’s ability. Part of the reason for that has been the outstanding performances of Hendricks in the postseason.

Let’s review Hendricks’ postseason history and show how he rose to postseason dominance.