Top 10 Games of 2020: Darvish comes up huge
The 2020 Cubs season may have been shorter than normal, but it was packed with huge moments and thrilling games.
Marquee Sports Network will air the Top 10 Games of 2020 presented by DraftKings with new commentary and more in-depth analysis each weeknight in November. The fun continues tonight at 8 p.m. with No. 5 — Cubs vs. White Sox from August 23.
No. 5 – Cubs vs. White Sox (Aug. 23)
The Cubs turned to Yu Darvish to salvage the final game of the series with the White Sox and the Cy Young candidate came up huge for his team in a hotly contested 2-1 victory.
After dropping three of their previous four games — including the first two contests in the Crosstown series — the Cubs showed up to Wrigley Field on the morning of Aug. 23 hungry for a victory.
And as was the case all season — Darvish was there to answer the call.
The veteran right-hander had a phenomenal 2020 season, finishing 2nd in the National League Cy Young voting and sporting a 2.01 ERA. In a shortened campaign where every game took on added importance, the Cubs wound up winning 75% of Darvish’s starts, going 9-3 in his 12 outings and the team started calling Darvish’s starts “Win Day.”
This Sunday afternoon was a perfect reason why, as he cooled down the White Sox bats that had plated 17 runs and smacked 11 homers in the first two games of the series.
Darvish permitted only a single run — a solo homer to Jose Abreu, his 6th longball of the series — while striking out 10 and tossing 7 strong innings.
The Sox jumped ahead early behind Abreu’s blast, but Darvish slammed the door from there and kept his team in the game long enough for Kyle Schwarber to come up with a clutch 2-run shot in the 6th inning.
It was a big victory for the Cubs, as they wrapped up the homestand and headed out on the longest road trip of the season.
“This was a very nice win to have, especially when we’re gonna be heading on the road,” Schwarber said. “Everyone can look forward to having a happy flight here.”
HIGHLIGHTS
4th inning | Kyle Schwarber puts the Cubs on top
Darvish strikes out 10
Postgame | Sweeney and Peña breakdown Darvish’s deception