Yu Darvish, Texas' prize from this past winter, is set to make his third start of the spring on Monday, as the Rangers take on the Milwaukee Brewers.
The start will be Darvish's first at Texas' home Cactus League complex in Surprise, Arizona.
Darvish has only pitched five innings so far in the spring, but we've already seen the good and the bad. Darvish was excellent in his first start against the San Diego Padres, pitching just two innings, but allowing just two hits, while issuing no walks and striking out three. Darvish displayed excellent stuff and, for the most part, commanded the strike zone well.
Things didn't go so well for Darvish when he faced the Cleveland Indians last week, though. Darvish pitched three innings, but labored through them as he failed to command his four seam fastball. Consequently, Darvish walked four in those three innings, while giving up two runs on three hits. Darvish did strike out three in the contest.
In both of Darvish's starts so far, he's pitched exclusively out of the stretch, as he's said that's what he's been more comfortable doing. We'll see if Darvish opts to pitch from the windup on Monday, as he takes on the reigning National League Central champion Brewers.