Chicago Cubs: Top things to keep an eye on heading into 2019 season

Chicago Cubs: Back and ready to silence his critics

After just eight games, Yu Darvish‘s 2018 season came to an end due to a stress reaction in his right elbow and a tricep strain.  His underwhelming season resulted in a 1-3 record, a 4.95 ERA and 40 innings pitched – all to the tune of a whopping $25 million.

With fans already weary of his huge contract as well of his performance in the 2017 World Series, Darvish was quickly met with contempt in Chicago after he was shut down for the remainder of his first season on the North Side.

After arthroscopic surgery to clean up his elbow this offseason, Darvish has been determined to make it up, noting he doesn’t want to hear “boo’s” from the fans, but “Yu’s” instead.

His confidence has been boosted early this spring by his throwing the “best stuff in my life.”

Darvish has only faced 15 batters in 3 1/3 innings this spring but has pitched well, showcasing a lively fastball and a tight slider. Possibly the lone red flag thus far for Darvish is his surrender of five walks against just three strikeouts.  For now, we could chalk this up to rust from not pitching competitively since last May but his attitude toward his health is certainly something to be upbeat about.

The Cubs managed to win 95 games last season, without really any help from Darvish at all, so if he can get back to his All-Star form, the team should still be touted as the favorites in the highly competitive National League Central division.