With the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers both sticking to a four-man starting rotation in the National League Championship Series, Saturday’s Game 6 is a rematch between Kyle Hendricks and Clayton Kershaw.
The Cubs’ rotation was much easier to predict after avoided facing a significant series deficit by winning Game 4. It wasn’t as clear for the Dodgers, though manager Dave Roberts stuck with his the club’s initial decision to start Kenta Maeda in Game 5.
Hendricks and Kershaw will take the mound on Saturday on five days’ rest. For the right-handed Hendricks, the outing comes with additional peace of mind.
He was struck on the right forearm during Game 2 of the NL Division Series, which forced an early exit. Hendricks didn’t show any lingering effects of the line drive when he faced the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS.
But he spent the days leading up to the start constantly tending to the forearm. “From the start after the Giants, going into my throwing program, in the middle of the week, I had to do a lot in the training room also to try to get back,” Hendricks said.
The 26-year-old is now leaning on the fact that concern is behind him. “So, now, after I had that last start against the Dodgers, now I know everything’s healthy, I was able to go through my throwing program uninhibited basically,” Hendricks said.
“Not having to go in the training room and check in on it all the time. So it’s one hundred percent, and it’s not in the back of your mind anymore at least. Maybe it will be more free because of that. But it definitely gave me confidence going out there in my last start and not feeling anything at all.”
Although the Dartmouth graduate led the Majors this season with a 2.13 ERA, he’s largely overshadowed by Kershaw. Hendricks nonetheless is one-half of a marquee pitching matchup, which Hendricks believes is magnified in the postseason.
“I think in the playoffs it is a little more between the pitchers than it would be in the regular season. I only say that because regular season you really don’t look at it at all,” he said.
“In playoffs, you definitely look at it. I think that’s the difference there, especially when you’re going up against a guy like Kershaw. You know he’s over there, so it makes it fun, though.”
Hendricks kept the Dodgers off balance by effectively using his changeup, and allowed just one run over 5.1 innings. The lone run came on an Adrian Gonzalez homer, which was enough for the Dodgers in their 1-0 victory.
