ARLINGTON, Texas _ Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish makes his 12th start Monday in the series opener against the Mariners, who are tied with the Astros in second place behind the Rangers. He'll face Hisashi Iwakuma (14-9, 3.81 ERA) for the third time.
"I know this is an important game for all of us on the team. I just try and focus on what I can do and try to take it just as any other game," said Darvish, who is 4-3 with a 2.91 ERA. "It doesn't matter who we're facing. I'm just going to go as long as I can in the game."
Darvish has been surprised how good he feels deep into his first season since Tommy John surgery.
"I think I'm in a better position than I expected," he said. "Looking around at other guys who have had Tommy John surgery, compared to some of the guys who are struggling, I think I'm in a better place than I was expecting."
