One game shouldn't change your opinion of a player, but it may reinforce what you already believe. That's the case for me with the Rangers' Yu Darvish, who I had pegged as a breakout candidate and Cy Young contender provided he maintained his low walk rate from his final seven starts last year.
In his season debut Tuesday at the Astros, his control was perfect. He also issued just three walks in 13 2/3 innings in spring training.
So far, we have yet to catch even a glimpse of the control problems that plagued Darvish early last season, so I'm feeling a little more confident in my breakout claim. On Wednesday's podcast, host Adam Aizer asked if I'd be willing to trade Darvish for, say, CC Sabathia, and in my heart of hearts, I wouldn't.
It's now refelected in my rankings.