Takeaways from the Chicago Cubs’ exhausting week as they begin a crucial nine-game trip out West.

Los Angeles Angels starter Kyle Hendricks isn’t slated to face his former Cubs team this weekend in the three-game series in Anaheim, Calif.

And that’s a shame.

Baseball is entertainment, and seeing Hendricks face the Cubs in a pennant race would be about as good as it gets, especially with the Cubs offense in a second-half slump.

Still, the Cubs will get a chance to catch up with Hendricks, one of the last remaining active players left from the 2016 World Series champions along with Kyle Schwarber, Javier Báez, Willson Contreras, Aroldis Chapman and the injured Kris Bryant.

“He’s one of those people, I’m lucky to have had a year with Kyle Hendricks,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s a

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