MESA, Ariz. (670 The Score) -- Getting off to a quality start has been a consistent message to and from the Cubs this spring, and that's exactly what right-hander Kyle Hendricks is aiming to help with.
Hendricks made another tune-up start in spring training Thursday, going 5 2/3 innings and allowing three earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three against the Giants. Of course, it's always easier said than done for a player and team to start a season hot.
"It is always tough," Hendricks said. "You just have to simplify it. Keep it as simple as you can and play the game. There are a lot of factors, more fans checking it out. More media stuff before the game. So if you can take the outside noise out of it and simplify it and play the same game, that's how you get off to good starts."
Hendricks, 29, has been a model of consistency for the Cubs across the last five seasons, with a 3.07 ERA that ranks as the fifth-best mark in the time frame. He has logged at least 30 starts in three of the past four years, including a team-high 33 in 2018. As he enters a new season, Hendricks doesn't have any plans of adjusting his game. It's simply about executing at the highest level on a consistent basis.
"There is nothing there in my game to take me to another level," Hendricks said. "If I am making my pitches and hitting my starts, then 32 consistent starts of giving my team the best chance to win (is the goal)."
Hendricks is under team control through 2020, but he's a candidate to receive a contract extension prior to then considering his strong track record and his importance to the Cubs. Hendricks' stuff also projects to age quite well, as he relies on quality control and good movement as opposed to velocity. His fastball sits around 90 mph.
Hendricks sounded open to an extension when discussing his desire to remain in Chicago for years to come.
"Yes, of course," Hendricks said of wanting to remain with the Cubs. "Everything we provided here, it has to be the best in baseball. To have these fans and the city of Chicago and everything that comes along with it -- I have been treated as nothing but the best, 100 percent I think for most of the guys in the clubhouse we would like to stay.
"We just want to focus on the baseball. We know if we play winning baseball, the rest will take care of itself. No urgency (to sign an extension now). I just have urgency on the focus on the field. We can't get diverted by all these things going on."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
