Darvish (3-2) fired six innings against the Angels on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks en route to the victory. He struck out 10.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old wasn't efficient by any means, as he needed 125 pitches (73 strikes) to get through six frames. However, his high workload was offset by his stellar strikeout total, which vaulted him into the top five in the league in whiffs. Darvish will take his 2.79 ERA on the road in his next start Thursday at Houston.

Darvish improved to 2-2 on the season after giving up two runs on five hits and one walk over eight innings while striking out eight in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish surrendered a pair of homers in the third inning, but otherwise kept the Royals bats at bay, retiring 17 batters via strikeout or groundout. While Darvish is still averaging less than a strikeout per inning for the first time in his career, he's throwing with more velocity than he has in any of his previous four seasons, so there's reason to be optimistic that he'll induce more whiffs before long.

Darvish (1-2) gave up four runs on three hits and a pair of walks over 5.1 innings in Tuesday's loss to Oakland. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

He was cruising along until he hit the sixth inning, when the A's scored all four runs off him while Darvish was able to record just a single out. The Japanese righty has been hit or miss over his first four starts, as he's sandwiched two excellent starts between a pair of four-run efforts. That 23:12 K:BB over 24.2 innings isn't exactly the sort of awe-inspiring figure fantasy owners are looking for, but Darvish should keep getting better as the season wears on. He'll draw the Royals at home on Sunday.

Darvish allowed just five hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings while striking out 10 batters during Thursday's win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

While it was just the first win of the season for Darvish, it hasn't been because of his performance on the mound. The flamethrower now sports a 2.33 ERA with 19 punchouts through 19.1 innings, and he's walked fewer batters in each start. Assuming he stays healthy, the sky's the limit for Darvish.

Darvish (0-1) allowed one run on four hits and three walks across six innings during Saturday's loss to the Athletics. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish didn't have his best stuff in this one, but he routinely battled back in the count and only yielded a run in the sixth inning via groundout after he allowed two men to reach. Unfortunately the Rangers' offense was stifled by Kendall Graveman until the seventh inning, eliminating any chance Darvish had to pick up a win. Entering the season with the highest K/9 rate in MLB history for a minimum of 100 appearances, Darvish has underachieved in that category thus far, whiffing just nine batters through 12 frames. He has still been solid despite not measuring up to an extremely high bar through two starts and will look to put it all together Thursday against the Angels.

Darvish tossed 6.1 innings, giving up four runs on four hits (one home run) and five walks while striking out four in a no-decision against the Indians on Monday night.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish certainly wasn't at his best Monday against a strong lineup. It's disappointing after he came back strong from Tommy John surgery in the second half of last season -- especially with his command. His 11.84 K/9 last year just shows how dominant he can be, and he should demonstrate better control with more innings under his belt.

Darvish has been named the Opening Day starter for April 3 against Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

It will be Darvish's first Opening Day start of his career and a well-deserved honor in his fifth season with the team. The 30-year-old righty returned from Tommy John surgery last season to compile a 3.41 ERA and a 132:31 K:BB ratio over 17 starts, and could be on track to return to his dominant pre-surgery form. Darvish will form a powerful rotation duo with teammate Cole Hamels, who will likely start the second game of the season.

Darvish threw a simulated contest Thursday, giving up three runs on three hits (including a home run) and two walks, while striking out three in 2.2 innings, Dave Sessions of MLB.com reports. He threw 31 strikes in 51 pitches.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander's line looks ugly but mostly served to get his stuff right before logging a spring game. While the club will continue his progression at a controlled pace, Darvish, who spun a 3.41 ERA last year with 132 strikeouts in 100.1 frames after returning from Tommy John surgery rehab, will remain coveted as a fantasy ace.

Darvish is planning to re-incorporate the split-finger fastball into his pitching repertoire, Evan Grant of Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

He used the pitch intermittently before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015 and pitching coach Doug Brocail asked him not to incorporate it last season. Darvish had a down year in 2016, posting a career-worst 3.41 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 17 starts. The repertoire change may not induce a miracle, but it provides another weapon for the Ranger ace.

Darvish has been announced as the starting pitcher for Game 2 of the Rangers' ALDS series with the Blue Jays, MLB.com's TR Sullivan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darvish will follow Cole Hamels in the Rangers' rotation and take the ball Friday afternoon. Darvish had a couple rough starts in September, but he finished the season on a high note, giving up just one earned run and posting a 21:2 K:BB in 13 innings over his final two starts -- both victories.