Padres’ Yu Darvish on Dodgers: ‘We Want to Outperform Them as Much as Possible’

Former Los Angeles Dodger and current San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish is hoping his team can outperform their rival in the upcoming season.

Darvish addressed the media at the Padres’ spring training complex in Peoria, Arizona.

“Things are getting even more exciting with the Dodgers’ signing of Ohtani and (Yoshinobu) Yamamoto. We want to outperform them as much as possible.”

Via Kyodo News

The National League West teams open the season with a two-game series in Seoul, South Korea, on March 20 and 21 where Ohtani is expected to make his regular-season debut as a hitter only for the Dodgers.

Darvish has never faced Ohtani the hitter and realizes there is little room for error against the retooled Dodgers lineup.

“I’ve never faced hitter Ohtani, but I will (this year). There will be fewer holes in their lineup. I look forward to pitching against the Dodgers.”

Via Kyodo News

The excitement from Darvish makes sense considering he’s from Japan and has known Ohtani (and Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto) for a long time. The 37-year-old starter is coming off an underwhelming 2023 season finishing with an 8-10 record and a 4.56 ERA that ended in injury.

Will Darvish be named a starter for one of the games in Seoul to face Ohtani (and potentially go up against Yamamoto)?

“I don’t know that at all (at this point). That’s a decision the manager will make.”

Yu Darvish via Kyodo News

The Padres and Dodgers will face each other on Feb. 22. It’s the first spring training game for both teams.

Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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