Just when it seemed like the Chicago Cubs might be content to look for a replacement for Kyle Hendricks in the starting rotation, he has really turned it on in his last two starts. He has once again shown what he did last season en route to a 7-2 record and a sterling 2.46 ERA.

In his last two outings, he has overmatched the New York Mets and Miami Marlins, who aren’t the most powerful offenses in the league, ranking 27th and 25th in baseball respectively. Of course, this makes his recent stretch of 13.1 scoreless innings over two starts less impressive, but it’s his “stuff” that has been encouraging.

Hendricks isn’t a pitcher who is going to overpower too many hitters. Often, pitchers like him are referred to as “finesse pitchers”. This basically means that they rely on sequencing their pitches and locating them in order to get opposing hitters out. The Cubs righty was excellent at that last season, earning himself a spot in the starting rotation in 2015.

This season, Hendricks started getting into trouble because he was missing his spots in the strike zone, making it easier for hitters to put the bat on the ball hard.

Of course, missing in the strike zone is a problem for any pitcher, but for a hurler who solely relies on location, it’s even more devastating. That has helped contribute to him giving up nine home runs in his first 14 starts before his current stretch as his ERA started pushing 5.00.

In his last two starts, however, he has gotten back to his bread and butter of sequencing and location. His location has been so good, in fact, that he has struck out 12 batters in his last two outings. Adding a little swing-and-miss aspect to his arsenal can only make him more effective.

Even though the Cubs will still look to add pitching at this year’s trade deadline, Hendricks is making a case to stay in the rotation if only one arm is added. With the added depth the Cubs have in the rotation when Hendricks is dealing, Chicago might not be as desperately in need of starting pitching as previously thought.