Yu Darvish's struggle to get into the wins column recently, could be indicative of problems that could doom the Hokkaido Nippon Fighters' latest bid to reach the Japan Series.
The team is said to be weighing a plan to deploy the powerful right-hander on short rest during the Pacific League Climax Series, hoping to emulate the Chiba Lotte Marines' usage of pitcher Yoshihisa Naruse last season, and get three starts out of Darvish during the climax series if needed.
For that to work, the Fighters star will need some help.