Cubs LHP Drew Smyly (5-2, 3.45) will start on Saturday night against Padres LHP Yu Darvish (3-4, 4.61).

Source: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/national/story/2023-06-02/taillon-swanson-lead-cubs-to-a-2-1-win-over-padres

Daniel Vogelbach’s third single off Darvish tied it at 3 in the fifth.

Source: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/national/story/2023-07-07/mcneil-doubles-in-go-ahead-run-the-mets-beat-the-padres-7-5-to-win-6th-straight

Darvish has a world-class pedigree, ideally offering San Diego an edge.

Source: https://nesn.com/bets/2023/08/mlb-8-4-dodgers-padres-odds-preview-and-best-bets/

Japan pitcher Yu Darvish (11) celebrates with his teammates after defeating the United States in World Baseball Classic championship game, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Miami.

Source: https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/sports/ohtani-fans-trout-japan-tops-u-s-for-wbc-championship/article_dc1cff56-cd11-58e7-bea9-6c88a6580b25.html

Lefty Shota Imanaga will start on the mound for Japan with MLB All-Stars Yu Darvish and Shohei Ohtani available in relief.

Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/world-baseball-classic-2023-how-to-watch-usa-vs-japan-tonight-from-anywhere/

Meanwhile, Darvish, a longtime major leaguer who pitches for the San Diego Padres, injected drama into the game.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/21/sports/baseball/japan-usa-world-baseball-classic.html

The first order of business for the will be getting past right-hander Yu Darvish (2-2, 3.16 ERA).

Source: https://deadspin.com/slumping-royals-padres-both-aim-for-series-victory-1850444267

The series will start with right-hander Max Scherzer facing right-hander Yu Darvish.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/04/10/mets-face-tough-test-with-padres-west-coast-trip-ahead-this-week/

They tried again tonight with Drew Smyly on the mound for Chicago against Yu Darvish.

Source: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/ecm-padres-report-padres-even-series-two-homer-night-tatis-jr

Yu Darvish (3-3) allowed three runs on six hits over six innings.

Source: https://deadspin.com/juan-soto-haunts-former-team-as-padres-beat-nats-1850468126

Yu Darvish and Japan have the highest pre-tournament Elo rating in the World Baseball Classic field.

Source: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/whos-the-team-to-beat-at-the-world-baseball-classic/