Back into green tea. Got out of it for a while, mostly because the day’s consumption of caffeine and caffeine-like products no longer aligned with when I would have a green tea. But I’m trying to make a conscious effort to better align, because that stuff is good for you, man.
Kyle Hendricks scuffled badly early this year, and then again for a bit after returning from the Injured List break. But in his last five outings (21.1 IP), he’s allowed just 3 ER, while striking out 16 and walking 4. He’s been so good that EVEN IF you include the initial clunkers after the IL stint (including 7 ER in 4.1 innings against the Pirates), he still has a nice 3.93 ERA since May 15 (and the peripherals are actually even better). Rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated.
Bonus fun/hope: the best stretch for Hendricks, in these last five outings, has accompanied a DRAMATIC increase in his curveball usage. He is really feeling the pitch right now, and it’s not hard to figure out how that makes a huge difference in productivity.
Also: congrats to Kyle Hendricks, because today’s the day he reaches 10 years of service time – a very special mark for Major League players. Yes, it’s when the pension fully vests, but it’s as much about the milestone. A great moment for a great Cub. (He also earns 10/5 no-trade rights as of today, for what that winds up being worth in a month ….)
Kudos from Craig Counsell about Hendricks getting things really going, and praise for the curveball:
Not that there is anything else to say, but it’s funny how Counsell’s comments mirror fan feelings: Kyle Kyle Kyle Kyle Kyle Kyle Kyle, yeah offense didn’t do shit.
Hendricks gives a lot of the credit to his catcher:
The Cubs are going with a bullpen day today, kicked off by Hayden Wesneski. I expect the hope is that he can go about three or four innings, if it’s really efficient. Given his recent struggles with the long ball, given the injury to Jordan Wicks, given Ben Brown’s possible return in relief, and given what Hendricks is doing, might it make sense to have Wesneski go back to Iowa after this and keep stretching out as a starter? It just seems like you might have an opportunity to do it now without hurting the bullpen, and also as protection against another rotation injury.
Daniel Palencia returned from the IL (at Iowa) and pitched a scoreless inning last night while touching 101 mph. Obviously you still hope he can come back to the big league team at some point this year and find consistent success. The upside is as high as any of the Cubs’ other relief options.
Speaking of injury returns, Kevin Alcántara finally got back to Tennessee after a multi-week absence, for which we didn’t have an explanation. Turns out it was a left shoulder issue, per Andy Martinez, and now it’s cleared up. Hopefully just in time for him to join some other Cubs prospects who are really breaking out.
lol/yikes:
But note the date! That was before last night’s game, when Amaya added one to the total. So the Cubs are up to 4!
OK, I mean, this is obviously going to get changed later: