CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Cubs ace Kyle Hendricks walked off the mound after the sixth inning Tuesday night at Wrigley Field with the same look of calm on his face that has defined his career, much like a sinker on the corner.
Since breaking into the big leagues in 2014, Hendricks' unfazed look has accompanied his show of consistency on the mound that the Cubs have come to marvel. But that hasn't quite been the case this season.
Hendricks had mixed results again in the Cubs' 4-3 win over the Padres on Tuesday, earning the victory by working six innings but allowing three runs and two more homers, which added to his MLB-worst total of 16. Hendricks is 6-4 with a 4.62 ERA and an .864 OPS against in 11 starts this season. He's a top starter for a first-place team who's still searching for his best form.
"The guys (are) picking me up, honestly," Hendricks said. "I need to be a little better."
At the least, it seems Hendricks has put his worst behind him. He went only three innings in an Opening Day loss at Wrigley Field, allowed seven runs and four homers in a primetime game against the Braves on April 18, then allowed seven more runs and three blasts just 10 days later in Atlanta. Hendricks had a 7.54 ERA in his first five starts, which marked the worst stretch of his career.
Hendricks struggled with his mechanics and to find the release point that has led him to success. He has since settled in, posting a 2.95 ERA across 39 2/3 innings in his last six starts. That's what is expected from Hendricks, who has never has worse than a 3.95 ERA or .687 OPS against in any of his first seven MLB seasons.
"He figures those things out pretty fast," Cubs manager David Ross said. "He figures them out while he's competing, sometimes. Sometimes, it takes a little bit longer. But he knows what the feeling is like. He's locked in. He trusts himself to get back to that point and he works really hard to be there. He's as consistent of a teammate, a pitcher, a personality that I've ever been around.
"It's a credit to his professionalism, his hard work and knowing who he is to be able to have some bumps in the road and still get back to who he expects to be and who we expect him to be."
The suddenly resurgent Cubs are counting on Hendricks, their undisputed ace for the first time in his career. Reigning National League Cy Young runner-up Yu Darvish, a dynamic starter for the Cubs in the past couple seasons, watched Tuesday night from the Padres' visiting dugout. Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta, the 2015 NL Cy Young winner, isn't his once-dominant self. Jon Lester is now a member of the Nationals' rotation.
The Cubs traded Darvish to the Padres in December to cut payroll while also adding to their farm system with the future in mind. Still, the Cubs' current roster is dictating a win-now direction by storming to first place in the NL Central, something that seemed inconceivable after Chicago started 11-15.
Kris Bryant has had an MVP-worthy first two months, Javier Baez had been stellar recently and contributions are coming from an unlikely supporting cast that has kept injuries from derailing the Cubs this season. Now, the Cubs need Hendricks to be the even-keeled assassin whom they can call an ace.
"It's really close," Hendricks said. "I feel really good, confident."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
