Hendricks threw a shutout against the Brewers on Opening Day. He allowed three hits, struck out nine and did not issue a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks did more than enough to justify the Opening Day nod over Yu Darvish with this masterful performance. As noted by Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, Hendricks had 19 swinging strikes Friday, the second-highest single-game total of his career. The changeup had hitters out in front and his command was sharp. Hendricks lines up for a road start in Cincinnati next week before a two-step the week of Aug. 3.

Hendricks said he worked on his curveball while play was suspended due to the coronavirus, and he could use the pitch more in 2020, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks worked on his grip over the past few months, and the work has apparently paid off, as the righty noted that "it's the best my curveball's felt." In his final summer camp tune-up Sunday against the White Sox, he used the pitch 14 percent of the time, as compared to 9.5 percent of the time in 2019. Hendricks has primarily featured a sinker and changeup during his time in the majors, but increased confidence in his curveball could lead to an uptick in usage.

Hendricks allowed three earned runs across 4.2 innings in Sunday's exhibition game against the White Sox. He gave up six hits and a walk, while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks allowed just one run before departing after tossing 83 pitches, but Jharel Cotton let a few inherited runners to cross the plate. Either way, the final line isn't overly important, as Hendricks was using this start as his final tune-up before Opening Day. It was good to see the righty get past the 80-pitch mark, and he should be good for 90 or more pitches against the Brewers in the opener.

Hendricks will start against the Brewers on Opening Day, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks will get the ball first for Chicago during the shortened 2020 season after impressing during spring training and summer camp. The right-hander will be followed by Yu Darvish. Across 30 starts last season, Hendricks posted a 3.46 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 177 innings.

Hendricks was sharp in Tuesday's intrasquad game, allowing just a single hit across 6.1 scoreless innings, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Because it was a scrimmage, the team had Hendricks record four outs in his sixth inning of work. The righty passed the test and looked comfortable as he got right around 70 pitches for the night. Yu Darvish is the presumptive Opening Day starter, but Hendricks looked sharp in spring training before play was suspended and has continued to pitch well in summer camp. He also happened to outperform Darvish in their head-to-head matchup Tuesday. The team hasn't said anything about who will start Opening Day, but Hendricks has certainly done all he can to earn the assignment.

Hendricks threw three scoreless innings during an intrasquad game Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks faced off against Yu Darvish, as the two are expected to headline the Cubs' staff this year, likely with Darvish getting the nod on Opening Day. Hendricks reportedly looked sharp in spring camp before play was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, and he figures to be a strong fantasy play in 2020 after posting a 3.46 ERA across 177 innings last season.

Chicago manager David Ross said Hendricks had a "phenomenal" early part of spring, Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ross was expecting a big season out of the righty, though it's unclear when that season will be able to begin due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hendricks posted a 3.46 ERA in 177 innings (30 starts) for the Cubs last year, his fourth straight sub-3.50 ERA season. The 30-year-old doesn't post eye-popping strikeout totals, but he's still one of the most consistent and effective starters in the National League.

Hendricks is competing with Yu Darvish to start in Chicago's Opening Day game against the Brewers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago skipper David Ross is refusing to commit to an Opening Day arm this early in spring training. Hendricks has been very sharp to begin camp, posting a dominant 1.00 ERA and 0.44 WHIP across nine innings. The 30-year-old has surpassed Jon Lester in the Cubs' starting rotation, but it has yet to be determined where teammate Yu Darvish will be slotted after dealing with an illness to begin spring. Hendricks sported a 3.46 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 150:32 K:BB across 177 innings (30 starts) for the Cubs in 2019.

Hendricks allowed one run over four innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against Cleveland. He gave up two hits and a walk while striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

The run was actually the first allowed by Hendricks in nine innings this spring, and the righty is sporting an impressive 0.44 WHIP to go along with his 1.00 ERA. Yu Darvish and Jon Lester appear to be the top candidates to start on Opening Day, but Hendricks is right behind them in the pecking order, and the 30-year-old will be a key member of the rotation no matter where he slots in.

Hendricks tossed three perfect innings with three strikeouts in Monday's Cactus League game against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks has been dialed in to begin the spring, as he's allowed just one hit and no runs in his first five innings of work. Yu Darvish and Jon Lester might grab more headlines in Chicago, but Hendricks has been outstanding for the Cubs since his debut in 2014. Last season, the righty posted a 3.46 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 177 innings of work, and similar numbers should be expected in 2020 from one of the league's most consistent starters.