Chicago Cubs: Kyle Hendricks turns back the clock in shutout victory

The Chicago Cubs rolled to a series-opening win over the rival St. Louis Cardinals behind a Greg Maddux-esque outing from starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks.

Right-hander Kyle Hendricks hasn’t gotten off to the start he or the Chicago Cubs had hoped for. After signing a four-year contract extension this spring, the former National League Cy Young finalist had turned in just one truly dominant outing heading into Friday’s matchup at Wrigley Field.

He had really struggled in the early innings, but taking on the first-place St. Louis Cardinals, it was an entirely different story. Hendricks turned in one of the most efficient outings I’ve ever seen, needing just 81 pitches to complete a nine-inning…