SAN DIEGO -- The games are getting more and more important for the Chicago Cubs, which means one thing on a team whose starting rotation features pennant race stalwarts Jon Lester, Cole Hamels and Kyle Hendricks:
Give the ball to Yu Darvish.
In what might be the biggest surprise in a year of them for the up-and-down Cubs, their go-to guy on the mound is the starter who was their least accomplished a year ago -- as well as the least liked by the fan base. If Chicago is going to get anywhere this month -- or next -- it's going to need Darvish to lead the way.