Kyle Hendricks’ Rough Start Reveals Team’s Weaknesses

Kyle Hendricks, one of the Chicago Cubs’ most recognized players, seems off to a rocky start this season. Players and fans alike are wishing him well, believing and knowing the Cubs deserve better than the rough start they’ve gotten.

There’s still a long season ahead and plenty of time to prove himself. According to Jordan Bastain for the MLB,

“Cubs manager Craig Counsell understands what Kyle Hendricks has meant to the organization over the past decade. This is a pitcher who has carved out a long career based on precision, helped lead the franchise to the top of baseball’s mountaintop as World Series champions and is revered as a leader behind the scenes.”

The famous pitcher’s rough start is a little awkward given his length of time on the team and his consistently good performance.

Counsell spoke to Hendrick’s achievements.

“I respect his track record of what he’s accomplished,” Counsell said Sunday morning. “And you go through these. He’s gone through — maybe not this particular stretch — but stretches where you’re not pitching the way you want to and struggling. And you figure it out.”

As of April 21, in his fifth start this season for the Chicago Cubs, Hendricks faced another challenging game. In Jay Cohen’s report on News18, he lasted only four innings in the Cubs’ 3-6 loss to the Miami Marlins on April 20. Despite the disappointing results, Hendricks remains optimistic, believing he’s heading in the ‘right direction’ and acknowledging the need to turn things around quickly.

Hendricks acknowledged the challenges but hopes to carry forward.

“It’s just tough with the results not being there,” Hendricks said. “It’s a results-based game. It’s obviously not good on that end, but got to take the positives in the right direction. Just got to put it together here.”

With a debut almost 10 years ago, Hendricks’ tough start to the season is only more apparent. Below are his stats for 2024.

Despite the worrying performance, the Cubs are playing well overall, currently placing second in their division behind the Milwaukee Brewers.