Cubs' Hendricks is a 'set it and forget it' SP
D.J. short explains how Chicago Cubs SP Kyle Hendricks has turned things around after a poor start to the season, and why he is again a terrific SP option for fantasy managers.
Video Transcript
DJ SHORT: right hander Kyle Hendricks was a complete mess over the first six weeks of the season, posting a 6.23 ERA through seven starts while allowing 11 home runs. But he's looked much more like himself of late, fortunately. As of Thursday, June 24, Hendricks holds a 2.25 ERA over his last eight starts, while notching wins in each of them.
He's delivered a quality start each time. So he's been a true master of consistency at the top of the Cubs rotation. A lot was being asked of him following the Yu Darvish trade, but since those initial struggles, he's taken the mantle of staff ace.
And even when Hendricks was getting knocked around a bit, he wasn't walking a lot of batters. But now his control is back in elite territory. Hendricks is still getting hit hard at times, which will happen if you aren't locating well and don't throw hard.
But the command is back in check for the moment and he's getting more hitters to chase outside the strike zone as a result. The lack of strikeouts will always hold him back from true fantasy A status, but Hendricks should be a set it and forget it option on mixed league staffs once again.