After the Chicago Cubs’ 10-2 loss to the San Diego Padres, starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks displayed uncharacteristic frustration. Known for his steady demeanor, Hendricks’s voice teetered on the edge of cracking as he expressed his disappointment in his recent performances. He acknowledged his failure to be the pitcher his team needs and emphasized his lack of consistency in his first three starts of the season, all of which have not given the Cubs a chance to win.
This game marked a career first for Hendricks, as he has now given up five-plus runs in three consecutive starts. The 17 runs he has surrendered this season are the second-highest total he has ever allowed over a three-game span, with his worst stretch occurring in late 2021 against the Rockies, White Sox, and Pirates when he gave up 18 runs combined.
Hendricks expressed frustration at letting his teammates down and emphasized the need for self-reflection and reevaluation. He acknowledged his reputation as a slow starter, with a career 5.17 ERA in March and April, but had aimed to avoid such early-season struggles during spring training.
While Hendricks faced tough opponents like the defending-champion Rangers and the highly regarded Dodgers in his first two starts, his command was lacking in the first outing, according to manager Craig Counsell. In the last two starts, Counsell felt that Hendricks pitched well early on but experienced a decline as the games progressed.
Hendricks’s emotional response and self-criticism reflect his strong desire to perform at his best and support his team. He will likely focus on regaining his command and consistency to deliver stronger performances in the upcoming games.
While Cubs manager Craig Counsell focused on Kyle Hendricks’ struggles the third time through the order, there were signs of trouble earlier in the game. The Padres scored their first two runs on soft contact, which initially didn’t raise concerns. However, Cubs first baseman Michael Busch countered with a two-run home run off Padres starter Dylan Cease, the former Cubs prospect and current White Sox ace, who earned his first win as a Padre.
In the fourth inning, Hendricks encountered difficulties as he allowed three consecutive hits to right-center field. Manny Machado singled, Jurickson Profar doubled, and Ha Seong Kim tripled, with exit velocities ranging from 91 mph to 102.7 mph. Hendricks recovered with a quick fifth inning, but then surrendered a solo home run to Jake Cronenworth and a two-run shot to Jurickson Profar before being removed from the game with no outs in the sixth.
Hendricks acknowledged that he is still working on some mechanical aspects of his game but felt that he executed many pitches well. However, he admitted to making too many poor pitches and not being able to get away with them. He attributed part of his struggles to being too predictable and suggested that mechanical thoughts might be hindering his ability to effectively read hitters’ swings.
As a pitcher, Hendricks calls his own pitches, a practice that helped him maintain a good rhythm last season. However, he mentioned that the Cubs have discussed the possibility of catchers providing him with more feedback to assist in his performance.
Following the game, Hendricks didn’t have a clear plan for what he needed to do to improve before his next start. He acknowledged that he was in a search process and expressed the need to focus on his strengths and regain his form. Despite the challenges, he remained confident in his abilities and was determined to make the necessary adjustments.
