Padres: Yu Darvish has had his way against the Dodgers in his career

Padres ace Yu Darvish certainly has an interesting history when it comes to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Of course, he used to pitch for them. Acquired from the Rangers during the 2017 season, the right-hander was solid if not spectacular down the stretch for Los Angeles. What he’ll always be remembered for in the City of Angels, though, is his pair of brutal World Series starts against the Houston Astros.

More from Friars on Base

• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher
• This veteran DH target seems ideal for contending Padres roster
• Padres got steal with Xander Bogaerts after Carlos Correa’s mega-deal
• Failed Padres top prospect makes stunning return with minor league deal

Now, we know about the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal – so the fact Houston won it all four years ago has an asterisk next to it in the record books for many. But it doesn’t change the fact Darvish made two starts, lasted just 3 1/3 innings and allowed nine runs – eight earned – in a pair of losses.

The backlash from Dodgers fans was instant and severe. And the ramifications of that lingered for Darvish for years to come – costing him confidence and comfort on the mound. But he’s past it now and you can bet he’d love to show LA what they get to deal with now that he’s in the opposite clubhouse.

Yu Darvish ready to pitch Padres to a ‘W’

Looking at the matchups heading into Saturday, Dodgers hitters are a cumulative 1-for-20 against last year’s NL Cy Young runner-up. Max Muncy, the only Los Angeles player with a knock against Darvish, has the most at-bats against him with six. Austin Barnes, Matt Beaty, Mookie Betts, AJ Pollock and Justin Turner are all hitless when facing the big righty.

And, again, if you’re new to the Yu Darvish experience, here’s a prime example of just how filthy he can be.

Good luck doing much with that.

Darvish will start Saturday opposite future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw who, funnily enough, is the hurler’s offseason throwing partner. The Padres ace said he hasn’t talked to Kershaw since being traded to the Padres because of the fact they’re on opposite sides of a heated rivalry – but you can bet each guy will want to one-up the other in this highly-anticipated matchup.