Chicago Cubs 2016: Top moments from the season

September: Hendricks nearly no-hits the Cardinals

Let’s continue the Cardinals bashing, because, well, it’s so much fun to do.

Kyle Hendricks took the mound on September 12th with the Cubs practically division champs. He also had baseball’s lowest ERA. He was stating his case for the NL Cy Young award.

Hendricks thoroughly dominated the Cardinals. Through eight innings, the Cubs had a 4-0 lead, Hendricks not only had a shutout going, he also had a no-hitter going as well.

After seasons of bowing down to St. Louis, the Chicago Cubs were now dominating the Cardinals. After beating them in the NLDS in 2015, they had the confidence that they could regularly beat the Cardinals. The fear and doubt disappeared.

Alas, Hendricks couldn’t finish the job. Left fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker led off the ninth not just blowing the no-hitter, but ending the shutout as well. All was well, however, as the Cubs still won, and lowered their magic number to 3. This is the second week of September, and they were on the verge of clinching!

With the gem he threw, Hendricks lowered his ERA to 2.03, and won his 15th game. At the start of the season, he was a back-of-the-rotation starter. Now, however, he was competing for the biggest pitching award.

Oh, and by the way, the victory also put a dent onto the Cardinals’ playoff hopes. What a sweet victory!