The New York Times has an excellent, two-page profile on how Yu Darvish compares to Daisuke Matsuzaka - the fellow Team Japan pitcher who made a big splash on the world stage at the 2006 World Baseball Classic - and his pitching mechanics and ability to make in-game adjustments.
It also addresses his contract, and the fact that he won’t become a free agent until after the 2014 season, although he can ask to be posted before then.
The two pitchers should provide a formiddable force for opponents to overcome, as Japan seeks to defend it’s inaugural WBC crown.
The fact that 22-year-old Darvish is starting over the veteran Matsuzaka, who shined on the world stage 3 years ago, tells you all you need to know about who the better pitcher is. Starting in the WBC opener is an honor, and a great platform to introduce us to perhaps the finest pitcher on the planet.