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  6. article_body => "<p dir=\"ltr\" id=\"docs-internal-guid-4b8d48c5-7fff-06cb-031b-59bee49ff141\">To say Yu Darvish\u2019s Cubs career did not get off to a good start would be putting it mildly.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Darvish made just eight starts and struggled with his command before being shut down after dealing with arm injuries. This coming season represents another chance for Darvish to live up to his $126 million contract.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">So far in spring training Darvish sounds confident that he is healthy and that his stuff is back, and maybe better than ever. After pitching two scoreless frames against the White Sox on Sunday, Darvish <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/cubs\/news\/yu-darvish-confident-after-second-spring-start\" target=\"_blank\">told reporters he is throwing<\/a> the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/sports\/baseball\/ct-spt-cubs-white-sox-20190303-story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cbest stuff in my life.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He struck out three and surrendered one walk and no hits. His fastball topped out at 97 mph, which is similar to what he showed in his first spring appearance.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Before Cubs fans get too excited with one good early March outing, Darvish did walk four of the eight batters he faced in his first Cactus League outing on Feb. 26.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">After struggling through 2018, Darvish said at the beginning of spring training that he is in store for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/new-year-new-yu-darvish-looks-different-guy-cubs-camp-lester-maddon-rotation\" target=\"_blank\">a different year in 2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\"At this time last year, I didn't say anything, but I was thinking about how I have to do something for the Cubs \u2014 I should win 20 games or something,\" Darvish said then. \"This year, I want to be myself now.\"<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/2PxAcKd\">Click here<\/a> to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\">Cubs<\/a> easily on your device.<\/em><\/p>\n"
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To say Yu Darvish’s Cubs career did not get off to a good start would be putting it mildly.

Darvish made just eight starts and struggled with his command before being shut down after dealing with arm injuries. This coming season represents another chance for Darvish to live up to his $126 million contract.

So far in spring training Darvish sounds confident that he is healthy and that his stuff is back, and maybe better than ever. After pitching two scoreless frames against the White Sox on Sunday, Darvish told reporters he is throwing the “best stuff in my life.”

He struck out three and surrendered one walk and no hits. His fastball topped out at 97 mph, which is similar to what he showed in his first spring appearance.

Before Cubs fans get too excited with one good early March outing, Darvish did walk four of the eight batters he faced in his first Cactus League outing on Feb. 26.

After struggling through 2018, Darvish said at the beginning of spring training that he is in store for a different year in 2019.

"At this time last year, I didn't say anything, but I was thinking about how I have to do something for the Cubs — I should win 20 games or something," Darvish said then. "This year, I want to be myself now."

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Cubs easily on your device.