Fastball

Chicago Cubs Pitcher Kyle Hendricks On Wrong Side of Something That Hasn't Happened in 80 Years

The Chicago Cubs were shut out by the Atlanta Braves on Friday as Kyle Hendricks continues to struggle against the Bravos.

Brady Farkas

Chicago Cubs Pitcher Kyle Hendricks On Wrong Side of Something That Hasn't Happened in 80 Years
Chicago Cubs Pitcher Kyle Hendricks On Wrong Side of Something That Hasn't Happened in 80 Years /
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The Chicago Cubs lost to the Atlanta Braves on Friday by a score of 8-0. While the story will be how Max Fried dominated in his return from injury for Atlanta (6.0 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 8 strikeouts), it shouldn't be ignored that Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks continues to struggle against Atlanta.

Per @OptaSTATS on Twitter:

Including today, Kyle Hendricks has allowed at least six runs while pitching fewer than 5.0 innings in each of his last 5 games against the Braves. 

Prior to Hendricks, the last pitcher with five straight such games against one team was George Caster vs. Red Sox (all in 1940).

Hendricks lasted just 4.0 innings, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits. He walked none and struck out eight as he fell to 4-6 on the year with a 4.09 ERA.

Despite his inability to perform against Atlanta, the 33-year-old has had a very productive career. He's in his 10th season, all with the Cubs, and has pitched to a 91-67 career record and a 3.49 ERA. He helped the Cubs win the World Series back in 2016.

After the loss, the Cubs are now 56-54 on the season and 3.0 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. They are 2.5 games back in the National League wild card race.

The Cubs and Braves will play each other again on Saturday afternoon. First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 2:20 p.m. ET as Bryce Elder (ATL) pitches against Javier Assad (CHC).

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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