Kyle Hendricks named NL Pitcher of the Month for August … Cubs win Pitcher and Player of the Month Awards … Kris Bryant named National League Player of the Month
The Cubs had an incredible month on the field. Joe Maddon’s team went 22-6 in August and made a rough July a distant memory. The Cubs separated themselves from the Cardinals in the NL Central and the Nationals for the best record in the Senior Circuit.
Two of the players, one pitcher and one position player, stood out from their teammates. And Major League Baseball recognized their individual accomplishments on Saturday.
MLB announced its Player, Pitcher and Rookie of the Month Awards for both leagues. Kyle Hendricks received the award for the best pitcher in the National League and Kris Bryant was named NL Player of the Month for August.
Kyle Hendricks took over the lead for the best ERA in baseball in August. Hendricks was 4-0 in six starts last month with a 1.28 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. Hendricks allowed six runs on 26 hits with seven walks and 36 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings. The Cubs were 4-2 in Hendricks’ six starts.
Hendricks finished his month with seven shutout innings against the Pirates on Aug. 30 after starting the month with his second complete game shutout. Hendricks took the Marlins to school on Aug. 1 at Wrigley. Hendricks scattered seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts in a 5-0 win over the Fish.
In nine starts since the break, Hendricks is 6-1 with a 1.34 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. Hendricks has given up nine runs on 42 hits with 12 walks and 53 strikeouts in his last 60 1/3 innings.
Kyle Hendricks has pitched his way into the NL Cy Young Award race, joining teammates Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester.
For the season, Hendricks is 13-7 in 26 games, 25 starts, with a Major League best 2.09 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP and a 3.33 FIP. Hendricks has allowed 45 runs, 37 earned, on 117 hits with 39 walks and 139 strikeouts in 159 innings.
Trea Turner (Nationals) won the award for the top rookie of the month in the National League. Gary Sanchez (Yankees) turned an historic start to a career into the AL Player and AL Rookie of the Month Awards. And Corey Kluber (Indians) was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for August.
Kyle Hendricks joins Jake Arrieta (April) and Jon Lester (June) as the third Cubs starter to win a NL Pitcher of the Month Award this season.
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