Yu Darvish Faces Off Against Shohei Ohtani in Crucial NLDS Game 5

Yu Darvish, the veteran right-hander for the San Diego Padres, is set to take the mound in the decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This matchup is particularly noteworthy as Darvish will face off against his Japanese countryman and childhood hero to many, including Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani.

Darvish has a storied history against the Dodgers, having tormented them throughout his career. In 15 regular-season starts against the Dodgers, Darvish boasts a 2.27 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 91⅓ innings. He also won both of his previous postseason meetings against the Dodgers, including a dominant seven-inning performance in Game 2 of this series where he allowed just one run and three hits.

In Game 2, Darvish showcased his craftiness by using eight different pitches to keep the Dodgers’ offense off-balance. Despite not having the most overpowering stuff anymore, his ability to mix speeds and pitch types has remained effective. Darvish has been particularly successful against Ohtani, limiting him to just one hit in eight at-bats this season.

Darvish’s experience in high-pressure games is extensive, although his past includes some notable setbacks. He recalled his 2017 World Series Game 7 loss with the Dodgers but emphasized that he does not dwell on past performances. “It’s like, how many years ago was that? So … I don’t go focus on that time, basically. Plus, I am wearing a different uniform right now,” Darvish said.

The Padres will rely heavily on Darvish to set the tone early and potentially hand the game over to their strong bullpen, including closer Josh Hader, if they secure a late-game lead. The matchup between Darvish and the Dodgers’ starting pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, marks the first time in Major League postseason history that two Japanese-born starting pitchers will face each other.

Darvish’s calm demeanor ahead of this critical game reflects his accumulated experience and confidence. His decision to return to the Padres after a stint on the restricted list has been pivotal for the team’s postseason run, especially with Joe Musgrove out due to injury. Darvish acknowledged that his return was a good decision, given the team’s current position in the playoffs.