Chicago Cubs have no ‘ace debate’ – this is Kyle Hendricks’ rotation

Chicago Cubs: Kyle Hendricks has been better than advertised

Since joining the big-league team, the right-hander carries a sub-3.00 earned run average. (2.94, to be exact). And we’re not talking about a handful of solid starts, either. Hendricks has appeared in 100 games on the dot – including 99 starts – in a Cubs uniform.

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Overshadowed by the team’s World Series championship, Hendricks put together a historic 2016 campaign. He brought home Major League Baseball’s ERA title with a sterling 2.13 across 30 starts. He also led the league with a 196 ERA+, finishing third in National League Cy Young voting.

Last season, injuries derailed the soft-tossing hurler. He made just 24 starts – his lowest total since his 2014 rookie campaign. Still, he posted a 144 ERA+ – marking the third time in four years he’s been an above-average starter by this measure.

One of the things that really has me high on Hendricks is his ability to limit base-on-balls. Given the staff-wide control issues that plague the Cubs, the fact the allowed just over two walks per nine last year makes him incredibly appealing.