Chicago Cubs: Yu Darvish ready for the challenge of Jake Arrieta

The Chicago Cubs Yu Darvish is likely more excited to see Jake Arrieta than have to pitch against him. But he’s also aware of how good Arrieta was in his time in Chicago.

After the Chicago Cubs‘ Yu Darvish walked off the mound having thrown 102 pitches versus the Cincinnati Reds, he had to feel good inside. This wasn’t a ‘gem,’ as some might call it. In fact, the game score (developed by Bill James), had it only at a 61. To give you an idea, Kyle Hendricks effort the night before scored a 78. But Darvish walked off the mound having not issued a single free pass to a Reds hitter while striking out 11.

Darvish hopes this might be a turning point in his season. Did he figure something out? Or were the Reds overly aggressive against him? The scouting report was there. You have good odds on the first pitch. After that, you can wait him out. Entering last night’s game, he was averaging 8.1 walks per game. He lowered that to 7.1 with his walkless effort against the Reds. Still, even Darvish isn’t proclaiming anything after the solid effort.

"“I hope so,” Darvish said. Unprompted, he added this: “But I need a really good start at Wrigley. That’s what I want.” h/t Patrick Mooney, The Athletic (Subscription Required)"

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That next start will indeed be at Wrigley Field, and it will likely be against the former Cub, Jake Arrieta. Arrieta’s time in Chicago didn’t last long enough. But he won a Cy Young, finished in the top 10 two other times, was an All-Star once, a Silver Slugger and had one of the greatest seasons in Cubs history as a pitcher in 2015. After scuffling in Baltimore, he and Pedro Stop came to the Cubs and became successful pitchers in their own regard.

"“I need a quality start, for sure,” Darvish said ($). “But I really just want to see his stuff, the sinker and cutter, because he’s nasty — top five in MLB. That means I can study his stuff. I’m looking forward to seeing his stuff.”"

You might have to take a step back and process this one. Arrieta, who the Cubs did make an effort to sign, wants to be seen by the pitcher the Cubs did sign that same offseason. Arrieta signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Phillies. Darvish inked a six-year, $126 million deal. While Arrieta only went 10-11 that first year, it was still better than Darvish’s first season as a Cubs.

The AAV isn’t much different, but Arrieta ended up taking a shorter term with his deal. I felt like that’s what the Cubs originally wanted, but in the end, signed Darvish to a deal for double the years.

But that’s water under the bridge, at this point. The Cubs need to see consistency from Darvish. Most of all, the fans at Wrigley need to see it. I’ve been one of them, trying to remain optimistic. In Texas, he was something else. The stuff is still there. He just needs to round all of it up and put it together, start after start.

This will be Arrieta’s first time facing the Chicago Cubs since signing with Philadelphia before the 2018 season. The reception for Arrieta should be a warm one, and I would guess the Cubs organization will have something special in store for him.

But for Darvish, he wants to see what one of the best pitchers in the league can do, and then try to one-up him at it.