Yu Darvish is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, known for his impressive arsenal of pitches and ability to shut down opposing lineups. Throughout his career, Darvish has made a habit of delivering standout performances on the mound, leaving fans and analysts alike in awe. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the top 10 pitching performances of Yu Darvish's career, highlighting his most impressive games and the statistics that make them stand out.
Yu Darvish's Pitching Style
Before we dive into his top performances, it's worth taking a closer look at Darvish's pitching style. The right-hander boasts an impressive repertoire of pitches, including a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, cutter, slider, curveball, and splitter. This variety of pitches allows Darvish to keep hitters guessing and makes him nearly unhittable when he's on.
Key Statistics
- Fastball velocity: 94-97 mph
- Slider velocity: 82-85 mph
- Curveball velocity: 68-72 mph
- Splitter velocity: 88-92 mph
Top 10 Pitching Performances
Now, let's take a look at the top 10 pitching performances of Yu Darvish's career.
1. Perfect Game Bid (2013)
On April 2, 2013, Darvish came within one out of throwing a perfect game against the Houston Astros. He ultimately settled for a complete-game shutout, allowing just one hit and striking out 14 batters.
2. 15-Strikeout Performance (2013)
On May 27, 2013, Darvish struck out 15 batters against the Oakland Athletics, setting a new career high. He allowed just one hit and walked none in the outing.
3. Complete-Game Shutout (2014)
On June 11, 2014, Darvish threw a complete-game shutout against the Miami Marlins, allowing just three hits and striking out 10 batters.
4. 12-Strikeout Performance (2016)
On April 22, 2016, Darvish struck out 12 batters against the Houston Astros, allowing just two hits and walking none.
5. Near-No-Hitter (2017)
On August 22, 2017, Darvish came within one out of throwing a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox. He ultimately allowed one hit and struck out nine batters.
6. 11-Strikeout Performance (2018)
On May 22, 2018, Darvish struck out 11 batters against the San Francisco Giants, allowing just two hits and walking none.
7. Complete-Game Shutout (2019)
On May 15, 2019, Darvish threw a complete-game shutout against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing just four hits and striking out seven batters.
8. 10-Strikeout Performance (2020)
On August 1, 2020, Darvish struck out 10 batters against the Kansas City Royals, allowing just three hits and walking none.
9. Near-Perfect Game (2020)
On August 17, 2020, Darvish came within two outs of throwing a perfect game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He ultimately allowed one hit and struck out 10 batters.
10. 12-Strikeout Performance (2021)
On May 27, 2021, Darvish struck out 12 batters against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing just two hits and walking none.
Conclusion
Yu Darvish's impressive career has been marked by numerous standout performances on the mound. From perfect game bids to complete-game shutouts, Darvish has consistently shown why he's one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. As he continues to take the mound, fans can expect more thrilling performances from this talented right-hander.
We want to hear from you! What's your favorite Yu Darvish pitching performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
What is Yu Darvish's fastest pitch?
+Yu Darvish's fastest pitch is his four-seam fastball, which has been clocked as high as 98 mph.
How many complete-game shutouts has Yu Darvish thrown in his career?
+Yu Darvish has thrown four complete-game shutouts in his career.
What is Yu Darvish's career strikeout rate?
+Yu Darvish's career strikeout rate is 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings.