Darvish’s veteran presence anchors San Diego’s road show, delivering depth and an elite breaking ball. His ability to limit hard contact and sequence well against a Dodgers lineup that thrives on volume remains a key fantasy pivot for the Padres’ rotation and bullpen efficiency.

Darvish started strong against the Dodgers, providing a rare moment of Padres momentum early, but the offense couldn’t sustain pressure over six innings as the Padres folded late. His presence keeps San Diego competitive, especially in matchups where he can limit hard contact and maximize strikeouts.

Darvish’s presence anchors the Padres’ rotation facing a bruising NL West. The series showcased SD’s resilience, but Darvish’s performance remains a barometer for SD’s pitching ceiling as they chase LA, while Betts and Freeman pressure Padres’ lineup depth in key matchups.

Darvish remains the anchor of the Padres’ rotation. With a strong track record and NL Cy Young voting in 2024, his health and schedule could determine SD’s postseason ceiling. A reliable Darvish gives the Padres a high floor in tight divisional games and deep playoff outings.

Darvish has flipped the page after a slow IL return, delivering a trio of strong starts and flashing his prime-informational mix. He’s faced LA with success in the past, particularly when paired with a breaking ball-heavy approach that disrupts the Dodgers’ lefty-heavy lineup. Fantasy managers eye him as a high-floor SP2 with tournament upside in a tight division clash.