Cubs Offense Silent Behind Hendricks' Quality Start in 5-1 Loss

The Chicago Cubs watched Monday's game evade their grasp after blowing their 17th game of the season. On Tuesday, Kyle Hendricks entered the series looking to build off his last start with hope that the Cubs' bats would show up against the San Francisco Giants.

Unfortunately, only one of those two hopes rang true.

Tale of the Tape

Unlike Monday's game, the Giants were the first to strike in Tuesday's contest. In the bottom of the second, Michael Conforto drove in Jorge Soler to make it a 1-0 game in favor of the home team. The Giants still had Matt Chapman on and at third following the RBI. After a Thairo Estrada strikeout, David Villar hit a sac fly to score Chapman and give the Giants the 2-0 advantage.

Despite the early scoring, Kyle Hendricks held strong. In addition, the Cubs got one back in the top of the third. With Nico Hoerner on second base via a walk and his 13th stolen base, Michael Busch swatted a single to drive in Hoerner and cut the Giants' lead in half.

Despite cutting the lead in half, that would be the closest the Cubs came to getting back in the game. Hendricks ultimately went 7.0 innings in this start, allowing just five hits and one walk with the two runs. Hendricks also fanned four batters in his start. Vintage Kyle Hendricks was humming on Tuesday.

After Hendricks left the game, the Giants added insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Colton Brewer once again got beat up in his lone inning of work.

Although there was two outs, the Giants loaded the bases with Brett Wisely on third, Heliot Ramos on second, and Patrick Bailey on first. With Jorge Soler at the plate, a sacrifice fly scored Wisely and made it a 3-1 game. In the next at-bat, Matt Chapman delivered a two-RBI single with Ramos and Bailey both scoring on the play. Chapman also ended up on second as a result.

Although the Giants couldn't add anymore, the damage was done. Camilo Doval closed out the game and the Giants secured at least a split with their 5-1 win .

Great Pitching, No Offense

The one constant for the Cubs this season has been their starting pitching. After a rocky start to the 2024 season, Kyle Hendricks has settled in nicely. Using his curveball more, Hendricks has looked like his old self as he crosses the 10-year service threshold in MLB. After 7.0 innings of two-run ball, a 100-pitch outing from Hendricks was exactly what the Cubs needed.

The problem? The bats and relief pitching once again fell short. There is not enough consistent offense, especially from the sluggers on the team, and the bullpen is one of the worst in the organization's recent memory. Yes, injuries play a part, but lacking depth in the bullpen is something that Jed Hoyer should've addressed just like he addressed the depth for the starting rotation.

Will the Cubs turn it around? They surely could, but every passing day allows doubt to creep into the minds of the fanbase.

What's On Tap Next?

Wednesday's game also has a 8:45 p.m. CDT first pitch. It will be a pair of Haydens on the bump for the Cubs and Giants. Hayden Wesneski starts for the Cubs and Hayden Birdsong for the Giants. The broadcast is available on Marquee Sports Network.

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