Hendricks ready if Cubs make it to NLDS
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CHICAGO -- Kyle Hendricks is hoping his next start is only a few days away.
José Quintana started against the Brewers at Wrigley Field in the National League Central tiebreaker on Monday. The Cubs lost, 3-1, which means Jon Lester will start against the Rockies in the NL Wild Card Game on Tuesday. Hendricks is likely lined up to start Game 1 of the NL Division Series presented by Doosan, should the Cubs advance.
The righty was available in the bullpen on Monday, in case the tiebreaker went to extra innings. Those duties will fall to lefty Cole Hamels on Tuesday.
• NL Wild Card Game presented by Hankook Tire: Tonight, 8 p.m. ET/ 7 CT on ESPN
:: NL Wild Card Game presented by Hankook Tire: Tuesday on ESPN ::
"We have four guys, quality guys who can take the ball at any time," Hendricks said on Sunday. "The worst-case scenario is we have to play the next two days with 'Q' and Lester and go from there with Hamels and me picking it up to start the next series. ... It's a definite luxury to have all these guys you can slot into any spot."
Hendricks is 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA in 10 postseason starts, including Game 1 of the NLDS last year against the Nationals when he threw seven shutout innings in a 3-0 win.
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How strange would it be to play the division-rival Brewers again in the NLDS?
"We know them so well," Hendricks said. "It is really weird. We've played them so many times."
The bigger question is what to do with Brewers NL MVP Award candidate Christian Yelich. He's 4-for-20 and has struck out seven times against Hendricks, but has been on a tear, including a 3-for-4 performance on Monday at Wrigley Field.
"The way he's swinging, I think we might have to go back to the [Bryce] Harper approach we had a couple years ago," Hendricks said, recalling a game on May 8, 2016, when the Cubs walked Harper six times.