Brewers to face Hendricks, Darvish to open the season
Kyle Hendricks will start on opening day for the Chicago Cubs, getting the nod over Yu Darvish.
First-year manager David Ross announced his decision on Thursday. Chicago begins the season on July 24 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
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Hendricks has been one of Chicago’s most consistent pitchers since his major league debut in 2014. The right-hander, acquired in the July 2012 trade that sent Ryan Dempster to Texas, is 63-43 with a 3.14 ERA in 163 games over six seasons.
It’s the first opening-day start for Hendricks, who went 11-10 with a 3.46 ERA in 30 starts last season.
Darvish will start the second game. The Japanese right-hander finished strong last year, compiling a 2.76 ERA and striking out 118 in 81 2/3 innings over his final 13 starts.
