Has anybody came up with a moniker yet describing Yu Darvish's ability to strikeout hitters? No, K-Darv or Yu-K'd? No? Anybody? Whether he has a nickname or not, the fact is that Yu Darvish is primed to be the Strikeout King of 2013.
Yesterday's performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks was truly amazing. 14 strikeouts in seven innings pitched. He had to be removed from the game because of a high pitch count as the Japanese righty threw 111 pitches. He was efficient, throwing 78 strikes and only 33 balls. It was the fourth time in the season that Darvish struck out 14 hitters, helping him reach a total of 186 through 21 starts in 2013.
This was the eighth time Darvish struckout more than 10 hitters in a game and at this pace, he's getting dangerously close to a number not seen in recent years, 300. You would have to go back to 2002, when Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling finished in first and second with 334 and 316 strikeouts with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Darvish is 114 away from that milestone. If the rotation and Darvish stay healthy, he has about 10 to 11 starts left in the season. If the Rangers are in the race and need Darvish on the last day of the season, he would have to return on three-day's rest. Darvish would need to average about 11 strikeouts per game, making the total very tough to reach.
However, he faces the Houston Astros in two weeks and they lead baseball with 1,003 strikeouts as of Friday, August 2nd. The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the Rangers' schedule and they are third in baseball with 920 strikeouts. The Seattle Mariners are also due up with 899 strikeouts, fifth in baseball. The Minnesota Twins have struck out 877 times in 2013, seventh highest total in baseball. The Oakland Athletics are 11th in baseball with 811 strikeouts in 2013.
Darvish will have to put up great numbers, but he will have his chances to really put on a show against these teams.
