Yu Darvish sat and watched as fellow Texas Rangers starters piled up the pitches during the first three games against the Kansas City Royals.
After Cole Hamels became the first to go eight innings (on 107 pitches) Friday night, Darvish was determined to match his left-handed co-ace.
He even made a friendly bet with pitching coach Doug Brocail.
It’s Yu Darvish. I tell him that all the time. I don’t mean to throw that in his face, but go out and pitch like Yu Darvish. And I think today he pitched like Yu Darvish.
Rangers pitching coach Doug Brocail
“He was a little irritated that everybody got to go to 100 [pitches], or 96,” Brocail with a sly smile.