Free-agent left-hander Yusei Kikuchi signed a three-year, $63 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. The Angels continue to be the most aggressive team early in free agency this offseason. Kikuchi gives the Halos a much-needed addition to their starting rotation for 2025 and beyond. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw went a combined 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA (3.46 FIP), a 1.20 WHIP and 206:44 K:BB in 175 2/3 innings over 32 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros in 2024. He was much better down the stretch in Houston after being acquired at the trade deadline, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 10 starts. The Japanese hurler had a career-best 31.8% strikeout rate and career-low 5.9% walk rate to help his cause and will look to continue that success in 2025 in his new digs in southern California.
Houston Astros left-hander Yusei Kikuchi said he was told "a few days ago" that he may be used in Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park in a relief role. Kikuchi will be available out of the bullpen on Wednesday, but he would start a deciding Game 3 on Thursday if it happens and he's not used in relief on Wednesday. The Astros aren't going to hold anything back on Wednesday to try and avoid elimination after losing Game 1 on Tuesday, so it's not a guarantee that the 33-year-old southpaw starts on Thursday. The Astros would be wise to use Kikuchi on Wednesday if the game is close, as he was great in 10 starts after joining Houston in a trade from Toronto, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, 76 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 60 innings pitched down the stretch.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi pitched a solid game against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, allowing just one run over six innings. Kikuchi struck out nine and walked just one while allowing five hits. The lefty has been one of the best trade deadline acquisitions in baseball, as the Astros have gone 9-0 in games he has started since they got him from the Blue Jays. The lefty lines up for one final regular-season start against the Seattle Mariners, and he should be started across the board in fantasy. Consider him a solid fourth starter in fantasy heading into next season.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi twirled a gem in Saturday's 5-2 victory over the Royals, going seven strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits and no walks while striking out 12. The 33-year-old improved to 3-0 with the Astros over six starts, posting a 2.57 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 26.6% K-BB% since he was acquired. The season-long numbers don't look nearly as good, with a 4.24 ERA (3.47 FIP), 1.25 WHIP, and a 21.5% K-BB%. The southpaw's next start lines up with the Arizona Diamondbacks next weekend at home.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi continued to showcase his strikeout potential in Monday's 5-4 win over the Red Sox. Kikuchi pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits (including a solo home run) and a walk with seven strikeouts. The 33-year-old is now 6-9 on the season with a 4.37 ERA, a 10.50 K/9 rate, and a 2.41 BB/9 rate in 26 starts and 138 IP. He has looked much better in his four starts since joining the Astros, compiling a 2.42 ERA with 31 strikeouts. He has yet to pitch six innings, but fantasy managers have to be encouraged by his recent performance with his new team. Kikuchi will face a tough matchup in his next start at his ex-division Orioles. Fantasy managers may consider sitting Kikuchi despite his recent success.
Yusei Kikuchi Strikes Out Eight, Picks Up First Win With Houston
The newest member of the Houston Astros rotation, Yusei Kikuchi (5-9), had an outstanding performance in Wednesday's victory against the Texas Rangers 6-4. The 33-year-old picked up his first victory in an Astros uniform on Wednesday. He allowed two runs, four hits, three walks, and struck out eight over 5 2/3 frames. Kikuchi's season has been filled with ups and downs. However, he has consistently had solid strikeout numbers. In 126 2/3 IP this season, he has accumulated 149 K (10.46 K:9). The Astros traded for Kikuchi at the trade deadline to help bolster their rotation in hopes of making the playoffs, and so far, he has done his job. His next start will come next Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Houston Astros acquired left-hander Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, according to sources. As of right now, it's unclear what the Astros have sent Toronto in return. Regardless of what the Astros gave up, the addition of Kikuchi is big for what has been an injury-depleted Houston rotation all year long. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw hasn't been all that great for fantasy managers in 2024, as he heads to Houston with a 4.75 ERA (3.64 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 130 strikeouts and only 30 walks in 115 2/3 innings over his 22 starts. He's gone 4-9 in the record department. Kikuchi has been even worse recently, but fantasy managers and the Astros will be hoping that a change of scenery and a move to a contending club can help him turn things around to close out the year.
Yusei Kikuchi Racks Up Career-High 13 Punchouts In No-Decision
Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi was dialed in on the road on Tuesday night in San Francisco against the hosting Giants, but he came away with a no-decision despite giving up only two earned runs on six hits (two homers) while walking none and striking out a career-high 13 batters. In fact, this was the first time all year that Kikuchi tallied double-digit strikeouts. The 33-year-old southpaw's only blemishes were solo shots given up to Heliot Ramos and Tyler Fitzgerald. Kikuchi has allowed two runs in each of his last two outings but still has a bloated 6.38 ERA (5.09 FIP) in 24 innings over his last five starts since June 17. He could into the All-Star break on a nice little run, though, as he matchups up next against the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend. Kikuchi is 4-8 overall this year with a 4.00 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with a 111:23 K:BB in 101 1/3 frames (19 starts).
Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is getting the start on Wednesday in Baltimore against the Orioles. Right-hander Chris Bassitt was scheduled to start Tuesday's contest before it was postponed, and rather than just pushing Bassitt back a day, the Jays have elected to let Kikuchi take his turn in the rotation on normal rest. The 32-year-old Japanese left-hander has had a solid year to this point for Toronto, going 2-3 with a 2.64 ERA (2.59 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with nine walks and 46 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings over his eight starts. He's allowed more than three runs in an outing just once in his eight starts and went a season-high eight innings while giving up just two runs his last time out in a tough-luck loss against the Twins last Friday. Kikuchi has been a must-start in fantasy lineups in 2024, but he's up against a tough matchup in the O's on Wednesday on the road.
Yusei Kikuchi Goes Eight Innings But Picks Up Loss
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi had a very strong outing on Friday night but picked up the loss as the Blue Jays fell to the Minnesota Twins 3-2. Kikuchi threw eight innings and gave up just two earned runs while striking out three. Kikuchi has been the Blue Jays' best pitcher this season, now having a 2.64 ERA. Kikuchi has shown significant improvement year-over-year by slightly reducing his BB% and has greatly reduced his HR/9 rate also. Fantasy managers should snag Kikuchi off the waiver wire if available. The lefty will look to continue his dominant season next Wednesday in a tough matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.
Yusei Kikuchi
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Angels
