Cubs: David Ross says naming Kyle Hendricks Opening Day starter was a no-brainer

Chicago Cubs skipper David Ross has made the easy call to name veteran pitcher Kyle Hendricks his starter for Opening Day. 

There are some big expectations for the Chicago Cubs and manager David Ross in 2021. Well, Ross is already off to a strong start leading up to the new campaign, as he’s revealed his starter for the first game of the season.

That’s right, come Opening Day, Ross will be sending out veteran hurler Kyle Hendricks out to the bump as his starter. The move really is a no-brainer, with Hendricks hoping to get the Cubs off to a strong start in 2021.

Kyle Hendricks is all set to start Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs

“I feel like we’ve got a lot of talent,” Ross said via ESPN. “I feel like Kyle, his resume, his leadership, his poise, all that goes into being the Opening Day starter, just the extra, kind of, pomp and circumstance that goes with Opening Day, especially this coming year as well, every arrow points to Kyle.”

Last season, Hendricks, 31, went 6-5 and made 12 starts for the Cubs. He posted a 2.88 ERA and helped Chicago take home the NL Central crown. However, Chicago suffered an early exit in the postseason and fans were once again disappointed with the campaign.

The hope is that the team can make a leap this upcoming season and make a push for a potential return to the World Series. No one has forgotten about that glorious night in Cleveland when the Cubs won it all back in 2016.

With Hendricks all set to start Game 1 of ‘21, the table is set for Chicago to start things off with a bang. We’ll see if Hendricks will be able to live up to the hype and power the Cubs to a big win once that first game does arrive.