Cubs News: Appreciating Yu Darvish’s drastic evolution since 2018

Cubs: Darvish put the team on his back this season in a big way

The dominant season by Darvish in 2020 is still fresh in people’s minds. 2.01 ERA, 2.23 FIP, 0.96 WHIP, 11.0 K/9, 1.7 BB/9 and 3.0 fWAR.

His fWAR in just 12 starts was higher than in any other season he’s been a Cub. His command was spectacular, he missed a lot of bats and went deep into ballgames. He finished seven innings in six starts and pitched short of six innings only once. He walked two or more batters (no higher than three) in just three starts. Only two of the 12 starts were not quality starts.

So here are some notable numbers. Put together the final 17 starts in 2019 and all 12 in 2020. That equates to a 2.77 ERA, 241 strikeouts against 26 walks, a .203 average against in 182 1/3 innings. That closely equates to a normal 162 game season’s worth of starts. Those are absolutely Cy Young worthy numbers in a normal season.

First 22 starts: 4.98, last 29 starts: 2.77 ERA.

His overall numbers as a Cub equate to a 3.60 ERA, 3.77 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, 11.3 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9. If someone in February 2018 traveled to November 2020 and saw those numbers without any context, they would probably say the contract was overall worth it. It shows how crazy much of a 180 he has done since 2018.

Right now his value is arguably at an all-time high and he proved to be one of the most exciting players to watch on the Cubs in 2020. A wild journey that so far has taken a turn for the best. He is a great guy to root for and deservedly has been embraced by the fanbase.