National League Division Series Game 2: Cubs (97-65, 0-1) vs. Cardinals (100-62, 1-0)
- Game Time – 4:37pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: TBS – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183(Cubs), 844(Cubs), 89(Cardinals)
- Location – Busch Stadium
Kyle Hendricks (8-7, 3.95/1.16/3.36) vs. Jaime Garcia (10-6, 2.43/1.05/3.00)
The National League Division Series – Game 2
Cardinals Lead the Best of Five Series 1-0
The Cubs look to bounce back from Game 1 and even the series this afternoon behind Kyle Hendricks.
Joe Maddon is turning to Hendricks in Game 2 and is looking for him to pick-up where he left off in the regular season. Hendricks pitched well over the last month, plus he’s only faced the Cardinals once this season. The first inning is key to the Cubs’ success today. Putting pressure on Jaime Garcia and keeping the Cardinals from crossing the plate will early in the game will go a long way towards the series being tied at the end of the night.
The Cubs were 20-14 in games started by lefties this season and as a team hit .238/.319/.372 with a .691 OPS versus southpaws this year. Jaime Garcia is a reverse splits pitcher and should allow Joe Maddon to use a balanced lineup. Left handers have hit .250/.304/.301 against him this season while right handers have managed only a .218/.266/.270 slash line.
The Cubs have not faced Jaime Garcia since 2012 and that was only one start. The offense must go back to working counts and force Garcia to throw strikes. Early swings could lead to another frustrating game for the Cubs.
Today all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
Kyle Hendricks pitched his way over the last month of the season into this start. Hendricks really struggled in the second half after a solid first 3 ½ months. Hendricks was 4-4 in his first 17 starts with a 3.55 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. After the break, Hendricks struggled with his mechanics and pitched too many times from behind in the count. Hendricks pitched to a 5.40 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in August while teams hit .272 against him.
Hendricks kept making adjustments and made four quality starts in his last five outings. Beyond the numbers, Hendricks worked quick, threw strikes and pitched with a confidence that had been missing since early July.
Over his last six starts, Hendricks was 2-0 with a 3.03 ERA and 0.80 WHIP (11 runs, 20 hits, six walks, 31 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings).
Kyle Hendricks makes his second start of the season against the Cardinals and at Busch Stadium today. Hendricks was 6-4 in 17 starts on the road this year with a 4.47 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. Hendricks’ starts against the Redbirds came on May 5. Hendricks was charged with four runs on six hits with two walks and a strikeout in five innings.
For his career, Hendricks is 0-1 in four starts against the Cardinals with a 3.97 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. In two starts at Busch Stadium, Hendricks has two no decisions with a 4.91 ERA and 1.27 WHIP.
Cardinals Career Numbers against Kyle Hendricks
- Matt Carpenter: 6-for-10 with one home run and two walks
- Matt Holliday: 6-for-12 with two home runs
- Jhonny Peralta: 4-for-11 with one double
- Jon Jay: 1-for-9
- Kolten Wong: 2-for-9 with one double and one walk
- Yadier Molina: 1-for-6
- Mark Reynolds: 3-for-4
- Randal Grichuk: 1-for-2 with one double
The Cubs get their first look of the year at lefty Jaime Garcia today. When Garcia is able to stay off the disabled list he is very, very good. Garcia made 20 starts this season, his highest total since he made 20 in 2012. Garcia made a career high 32 starts in 2011.
The now 29-year old lefty was 5-2 in 10 starts at Busch Stadium this year with a 1.70 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Garcia did slow down a little after the break and was 7-3 in 13 starts with a 2.87 ERA and 1.51 WHIP.
For his career, Jaime Garcia is 2-1 in six games, five starts, against the Cubs with a 2.00 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Garcia has not faced the Cubs since the 2012 season. Garcia received a no decision on April 23, 2012 after allowed one run on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.
Cubs Career Numbers against Jaime Garcia
- Starlin Castro: 4-for-13 with one double
- Dexter Fowler: 0-for-9 with three walks
- Chris Denorfia: 2-for-10 with one double and one walk
- Miguel Montero: 2-for-2 with one home run and one walk
- David Ross: 0-for-3
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …