A lengthy rain delay shortened Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks’ recent return from the injured list, but it hardly compromised his resolve.
After logging three innings and throwing 55 pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, Hendricks is eager to build on the effort — and keep strengthening his right shoulder — during Sunday’s road matinee against the Chicago White Sox.
“It’s just making good pitches from the start, being aggressive and give our lineup a chance to get the lead early might help,” Hendricks said. “We’ve just got to stay positive, keep grinding.”
The Cubs enter the final day of the first half of the season five games above .500, holding a half-game lead on the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central.
Many in the organization have considered the club’s inability to create distance atop the division a disappointing development, however. During his weekly appearance on the Cubs’ flagship radio station, WSCR-AM, Cubs team president Theo Epstein said this week he would prefer to “lump us in collectively” when asked about manager Joe Maddon’s responsibilities in the process.
Later, though, Epstein said the following about Maddon, according to the Chicago Sun-Times:
“Joe has a unique challenge … because it’s his fifth year with this team, and he’s remarkably consistent. But we all contribute to the environment, including the manager. So when players aren’t responding to the environment, I think sometimes you have to sort of do the impossible, which is try to find a new approach and new ways to reach guys while also maintaining one of your greatest strengths, which is your consistency and your ability to be the same guy whether things are going well or poorly.”
Hendricks (7-6, 3.45 ERA) will hope to help the Cubs head to the All-Star break on a three-game winning streak. He will be making his first appearance against the White Sox this season. In his career, he is 1-2 with a 3.44 ERA in 34 innings over six starts.
Ivan Nova (3-7, 5.92 ERA) is set to get the call for the White Sox as he makes his latest bid to earn his first victory at Guaranteed Rate Field this season. He is 0-4 with an 8.31 ERA in seven home starts in 2019.
Nova took a no-decision in a start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field last month, scattering four hits and one run in five innings. He is 4-2 with a 3.75 ERA in nine career starts against the North Siders.
The White Sox still are seeking stability in their starting rotation behind ace righty Lucas Giolito, who was roughed up in Saturday’s start against the Cubs. On Thursday afternoon, righty Reynaldo Lopez scuffled against the Detroit Tigers, but White Sox general manager Rick Hahn offered a vote of confidence for Lopez on Saturday.
“He’s obviously a young player,” Hahn said. “There’s going to be hiccups in the development of any young player, but Reynaldo’s been around long enough and had enough success that I understand his frustration and desire to put these struggles behind him and get back on track quickly.”