Kyle Hendricks is subtly putting together an outstanding season on the mound. A one-hit, two-run performance over 6.1 innings against the Athletics on Monday night brought his ERA to 3.06, the fifth consecutive outing in which he’d lowered that mark. That puts him solidly inside the top 10 in the National League, making the right-hander a dark horse candidate for the Cy Young.
While Hendricks has experienced ups and downs in 2019, his strikeout and walk rates are both better than his career averages and the league is batting just .229 against him. For much of his tenure in the majors, Hendricks has made a living getting batters out on the ground thanks in large part to his sinker, but we’re seeing a shift this season.