Cubs to start Hendricks in Game 1 vs. Marlins

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks gets the nod for Game 1. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs to start Kyle Hendricks in Game 1 vs. Marlins

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 9/29/20

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross confirmed that ace Kyle Hendricks will start Game 1 of the National League wild-card series against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday.

#Cubs Wild Card Series Game 1 Starter: Kyle Hendricks.

Hendricks led the NL with 8.00 K/BB and ranked 2nd with 81.1 IP. He posted a 1.85 home ERA in 6 starts this season. #FlytheW pic.twitter.com/CIPwfCkyy7
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 29, 2020

Cy Young candidate Yu Darvish will take the bump for Game 2. Chicago will go to Jon Lester if the series gets to a third contest.

#Cubs Wild Card Series Game 2 Starter: @faridyu.

Darvish’s 2020 regular season:
8 W (1st in NL)
2.01 ERA (2nd)
6.64 K/BB (2nd)
76 IP (3rd)
0.96 WHIP (4th)#FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/Ldr9unSLfp
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 29, 2020

#Cubs Wild Card Series Game 3 Starter (if necessary): @JLester34.

Lester has a career 2.51 postseason ERA. This year he eclipsed 1,000 IP in a Cubs uniform and passed Sandy Koufax on the all-time K’s list (T-49th). #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/ilxKnw0kC1
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 29, 2020

"I [feel] like I have two aces," Ross said about selecting Hendricks over Darvish for Game 1, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN. "I trust both those guys."

Hendricks has a 2-3 record with a 2.98 ERA across 11 career postseason appearances and 10 playoff starts. He last pitched on Sept. 23, when he went 7.2 innings versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Darvish, meanwhile, pitched seven innings in a blowout win over the Chicago White Sox last Friday.

More must-reads: