Yusei Kikuchi
Breakdown
Performance
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September 6, 2026
Goes six scoreless in first win
Kikuchi (1-5) earned the win against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out six over six scoreless innings.
Analysis
Kikuchi earned his first win since Sept. 24, 2025, throwing 58 of 89 pitches for strikes with 14 whiffs. The veteran southpaw has now logged two straight quality starts and owns a 3.50 ERA with a 16:5 K:BB over three outings since returning from the injured list Aug. 23. He'll carry a 4.96 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 49:19 K:BB across 49 innings this season into a road matchup with the Nationals next weekend.
August 31, 2026
Lasts seven innings in fifth loss
Kikuchi (0-5) took the loss Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings against the Phillies. He struck out six.
Analysis
Kikuchi's only mistakes were solo homers in the third and seventh innings, as a quiet afternoon from the Angels offense saddled the southpaw with the loss. In two starts since returning from a nearly four-month stint on the injured list due to left shoulder inflammation, the 35-year-old has allowed seven runs over 12 innings while posting a 10:2 K:BB. Kikuchi will take an overall 5.65 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB over 43 innings (nine starts) into his next outing, lined up for next weekend against the Pirates.
