Comments on: Kyle Hendricks is the Perfect Fifth Starter http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2017/04/08/kyle-hendricks-is-the-perfect-fifth-starter/ Just another Baseball Prospectus Local Sites site Sat, 16 Feb 2019 21:04:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 By: Gyro8891 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2017/04/08/kyle-hendricks-is-the-perfect-fifth-starter/#comment-17985 Sat, 08 Apr 2017 18:52:12 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=18593#comment-17985 Hendricks in the fourth slot would be “split up”. Fifth man rolls around into the top of the rotation again, so Hendricks/Lester/Arrieta would be the sequence in consecutive games.

But it also doesn’t matter. The important thing is that Hendricks doesn’t mind being the “5th starter”, whereas some other guys would. By being that unassuming team player despite being probably the best pitcher on the team, Kyle makes the whole setup work.

]]> By: Gordon Siegfriedt http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2017/04/08/kyle-hendricks-is-the-perfect-fifth-starter/#comment-17984 Sat, 08 Apr 2017 17:18:59 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=18593#comment-17984 “With a rotation full of good arms, and yet with a clear top three, it makes sense to split up the pitchers that are the most highly trusted. The Cubs will never play a series in which one of Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, and Hendricks doesn’t pitch. ”

While it is true that the Cubs will never play a series without using one of those 3, it would also be true if Hendricks were slotted as the third starter. The top three aren’t really split up in this situation. To me, it seems like this has more to do with Lackey’s ego. Either that or Joe is trying to subtly save Kyle’s arm as much as possible by limiting his starts.

I don’t think any of it matters much, but I still don’t understand it.

]]> By: TheCHISportsFan http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2017/04/08/kyle-hendricks-is-the-perfect-fifth-starter/#comment-17983 Sat, 08 Apr 2017 15:11:07 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=18593#comment-17983 Great minds….I had this same thought when he was announced in the 5th starting pitcher slot. I am one who believes Hendricks mix of intelligence, competitiveness and (now) confidence will have him improve on last year (I know – nearly impossible to some) and am even predicting a no no sometime this year. Maddux had his breakthrough year in his 3rd year.

If Arrieta continues his seemingly good rebound in form – I wouldn’t be surprised our REAL rotation in value would be Hendricks, Arrieta, Lester, Anderson, Lackey (assuming he doesn’t break down) although DRA hates Kyle’s baseline components to get there.

Kyle is the tortoise (with cost controlled youth that can survive longer with less physicality demands), and Jake is the hare. Lester seems to be a bit of both….lol

]]>