Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi blanked the Athletics over 7 1/3 innings of one-hit ball in Monday's 7-4 home win. The 33-year-old struck out five and walked one in the brilliant performance. Kikuchi overwhelmed the A's early, retiring the first 13 batters he faced before yielding a single and a walk in the fifth. However, he'd quickly end the threat with a groundout and cruise through the remaining 2 1/3 innings of his outing. It's the veteran's first quality start in nearly a month (May 12), improving to 2-5 in 2025. He held a 1.89 ERA in May and has continued his success as the calendar turned with a 2.19 ERA in two June starts. His overall ERA on the year is strong (2.92), but he has an inflated 1.47 WHIP due to his issue with free passes, allowing four or more in seven of his 14 starts.
Yusei Kikuchi Highly Ineffective In Early Exit On Saturday
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi imploded in Saturday's game against the Twins after he allowed 13 base runners to reach (nine hits, four walks) in only two innings, resulting in four earned runs, and Minnesota would go on to win 5-1. Just over half of the lefty's 66 pitches were thrown for strikes, and he was unable to record even one strikeout in the contest. The performance comes on the heels of two good efforts over his previous couple of starts, but so far, this season is not looking anything like 2024. Last year, the southpaw posted a 4.05, 1.20 WHIP, 12.8 percent swinging-strike rate, and a 22.0 percent K-BB%; however, this year has produced a 4.31 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 8.5 percent swinging-strike rate, and a 7.1 percent K-BB%. Those stats don't typically generate fantasy-worthy numbers, so managers may have to carefully choose which spots in which to deploy the veteran.
Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington named left-hander Yusei Kikuchi as the team's Opening Day starter on March 27 against the Chicago White Sox. Washington said it was an "obvious" decision. The Angels signed Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million deal this offseason after the Japanese lefty went a combined 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 1.20 WHIP with a career-high 206 strikeouts and 44 walks in 175 2/3 innings over 32 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. The 33-year-old had career-bests in strikeout rate (28%) and walk rate (6.0%), and his FIP and 3.20 xFIP show that his ERA probably should have been under 4.00. His first start with the Halos in 2025 will be a great one for DFS purposes, but fantasy managers in redraft formats may want to expect a little regression in his age-34 campaign. RotoBaller has Kikuchi ranked as the No. 48 fantasy starting pitcher.
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
• SP
•
Angels
