The Los Angeles Dodgers made quite the splash at the non-waiver trade deadline by acquiring Yu Darvish from the Texas Rangers in exchange for three prospects, headlined by Willie Calhoun. The deal further improved a team that already boasted the best record in the Majors and is considered a World Series favorite.
Darvish made his Dodgers debut against the New York Mets at Citi Field in a duel with Jacob deGrom. Darvish outdueled his counterpart by throwing seven shutout innings while allowing just three hits and issuing one walk.
The right-hander finished with 10 strikeouts and became the first pitcher since 1900 to have a minimum of 10 strikeouts and one walk or fewer in his Dodgers debut. The impressive performance came in spite of Darvish admitting to fighting some nerves and concern.
Next is a start Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and after that Darvish will make his Dodger Stadium debut on Wednesday, Aug. 16, against the Chicago White Sox, per Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA:
Rotation stays the same. Darvish pitches tomorrow & then again on Wednesday. #Dodgers
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) August 9, 2017
Next Wednesday not only signals Darvish’s first home start with the Dodgers, but he will also celebrate his 31st birthday. What’s more, that evening is also the ever-popular Lakers Night at Dodger Stadium.
Having spent parts of five seasons (six overall years) with the Rangers, the start will be Darvish’s first of his career at Chavez Ravine. Despite it being an Interleague matchup, Darvish doesn’t have much familiarity with the White Sox.
In three career starts against the team, he’s 1-1 with a 5.12 ERA. Darvish last faced the White Sox in 2013.
