Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana should start Cubs' first two postseason games
Kyle Hendricks
Regardless of what happens in Thursday night's glorified exhibition game   Kyle Hendricks  is the Cubs best option to start Game 1 next Friday in Washington. If the Cubs are going to beat the Nationals  they will need all five games.
 Hendricks  has a 2.39 ERA in 12 starts since returning from the disabled list. If the Cubs need a starter to pitch Games 1 and 5   Hendricks  gives them the best option against Nationals ace Max Scherzer.
There's understandable interest in starting a left-hander to combat Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy  but  Hendricks  has limited left-handed hitters to a .245 batting average.  His  array of pitches can keep opposing batters — left and right — off balance.
 Hendricks  has pitched in  his  share of big games  most recently beating Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers in the clinching game of the 2016 NL Championship Series and starting Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.
"( Hendricks ) pitched Game 7 of the World Series with ice in his veins " Anthony Rizzo said.
Regardless of what happens in Thursday night's glorified exhibition game   [TGT]is the Cubs best option to start Game 1 next Friday in Washington. If the Cubs are going to beat the Nationals  they will need all five games.
 [TGT]has a 2.39 ERA in 12 starts since returning from the disabled list. If the Cubs need a starter to pitch Games 1 and 5   [TGT]gives them the best option against Nationals ace Max Scherzer.
There's understandable interest in starting a left-hander to combat Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy  but  [TGT]has limited left-handed hitters to a .245 batting average.  [TGT]  array of pitches can keep opposing batters — left and right — off balance.
 [TGT]has pitched in  [TGT]  share of big games  most recently beating Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers in the clinching game of the 2016 NL Championship Series and starting Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.
"( [TGT] pitched Game 7 of the World Series with ice in his veins " Anthony Rizzo said.