3 Cubs on Thin Ice At Quarter Mark of 2024 Season

The Chicago Cubs are currently sitting 1.5 games out of first place in the NL Central with a 23-17 record; on paper, that's a good start to the season. However, the team has been inconsistent on a game-to-game basis. 

On any given day, the offense could be firing on all cylinders while the pitching struggles. Or the Cubs' offense could be struggling while the pitching shines. Then you could have times when the offense and pitching are struggling or the offense and pitching are both playing well.  

With these different variants of outcomes, the blame could be pointed at many players. However, fans are quickly growing tired of these three players taking the field for the Cubs

1. Kyle Henricks, SP

Kyle Hendricks will always have the love and respect of Cubs fans, but his pitching has been rough over the past two seasons. In 2022, Hendricks was 4-6 in 16 starts with a 4.80 ERA, 66 strikeouts, 24 walks, and 15 home runs allowed.

Last year, Hendricks was 6-8 in 24 starts with a 3.74 ERA, 93 strikeouts, 27 walks and 13 home runs allowed. While Hendricks's ERA almost dropped a full point from 2022-2023, he only had 14 decisions in 24 starts, showing how bad he was.

So far this season, Hendricks has looked as bad as ever. Carrying a 0-3 record in five starts with a
12.00 ERA. While also allowing eight home runs and 27 hits in those starts.  Hendricks is currently on a rehab assignment after being placed on the injured list for lower back pain on Apr. 23.

Hendricks returns to the Cubs rotation on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hopefully, he can turn around his rough start to the season because if he continues to struggle, it might be time to make him a reliever instead of a starter.