Astros host the Red Sox to start 3-game series
The Houston Astros open a three-game series at home against the Boston Red Sox on MondayAUGUST 19, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
YUSEI KIKUCHI #16 - PITCHER - LOS ANGELES ANGELS
0-4 W-L •
1.60 WHIP •
4.31 ERA
0-4 W-L
1.60 WHIP
4.31 ERA
Another strong outing Kikuchi (6-9) earned the win Tuesday over the Rays, allowing one run on three hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.
Impact Kikuchi allowed a lone run in the second inning before rebounding to retire 12 of the final 14 batters he faced en route to a 3-2 Astros win. The 33-year-old Kikuchi has allowed just five runs in three starts (16.2 innings) since joining Houston after struggling to a 7.75 ERA in his final eight outings with the Blue Jays. Overall, the left-hander sports a 4.49 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and 154:36 K:BB through 132.1 innings this year. Kikuchi is currently lined up to face the Red Sox at home early next week in his next start.
AUGUST 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Astros visit the Rays on 6-game road win streak
The Houston Astros visit the Tampa Bay Rays looking to extend a six-game road winning streakAUGUST 13, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Will Wagner, son of All-Star closer, enjoys big MLB debut for Blue Jays
Once he finally secured tickets for his famous father, Will Wagner had a major league debut to rememberAUGUST 13, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Fans eight in victory Kikuchi (5-9) picked up the win Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out eight in 5.1 innings.
Impact Kikuchi was sharp Wednesday, tallying eight strikeouts while allowing just one extra-base hit -- a solo home run by Marcus Semien in the sixth inning. The southpaw has been excellent in his first two starts in an Astros uniform, pitching to a 3.27 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with an impressive 19 strikeouts in 11 innings. Even with the recent success, Kikuchi remains a volatile fantasy option due to his high walk rate -- the 33-year-old has issued multiple free passes in each of his past five starts, failing to pitch six innings in any of those appearances. He is currently scheduled for a road start in Tampa early next week.
AUGUST 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Alvarez hits 117 mph homer, Astros beat Rangers 6-4 to take season series again
Yordan Alvarez hit a 117 mph homer for the Houston slugger’s hardest shot of the season, Yusei Kikuchi struck out eight pitching into the sixth inning and the Astros beat the Texas...AUGUST 7, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rangers and Astros play in series rubber match
Both the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros are looking for a series win with a victory on WednesdayAUGUST 7, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Strikes out 11 in Astros debut Kikuchi did not factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rays. He allowed two runs on three hits and three walks with 11 strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Impact Kikuchi gave up a double and home run to the first two batters he faced as a member of the Astros and then proceeded to get 17 outs while giving up one hit. The 11 strikeouts were the most by an Astros pitcher in his team debut since Gerrit Cole in 2018 and tied for the fourth most in a debut in team history. Kikuchi now has 43 strikeouts in his last five starts (26.1 innings), but he's also allowed 20 runs in that stretch.
AUGUST 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Kikuchi has 11 Ks in Houston debut, Astros beat Rays 3-2
Yusei Kikuchi shook off a rocky start to finish with 11 strikeouts in his Houston debut, and the Astros beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2AUGUST 3, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rays visit the Astros to open 3-game series
The Houston Astros open a three-game series at home against the Tampa Bay Rays on FridayAUGUST 2, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Team debut coming Friday Kikuchi is scheduled to make his first start with the Astros on Friday versus the Rays in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact The Astros didn't need to open up a spot in their rotation for Kikuchi, as fifth starter Jake Bloss was sent back to Toronto along with outfielder Joey Loperfido and infielder Will Wagner in Monday's trade that landed the veteran southpaw in Houston. Kikuchi had cruised to a 2.64 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while delivering quality starts in six of his first 10 outings with Toronto this season, but aside from a career-best 13-strikeout effort July 9 in San Francisco, he had often been knocked around by opposing lineups over the past two months before being traded. He posted a strong 69:17 K:BB in 57.2 innings in his final 12 starts with Toronto but he also gave up 13 home runs during that stretch, which led to an inflated 6.87 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.
AUGUST 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Twins add bullpen help with right-hander Trevor Richards in deadline trade with Blue Jays
The Minnesota Twins acquired right-handed pitcher Trevor Richards from the Toronto Blue Jays before the major league non-waiver trade deadlineJULY 30, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MLB Now on the Yusei Kikuchi trade | 07/30/2024 The MLB Now crew discusses the Astros' acquisition of Yusei Kikuchi and the haul the Blue Jays received in return
JULY 30, 2024 • MLB.COM
Astros acquire Yusei Kikuchi from Blue Jays for prospect Jake Bloss, Joey Loperfido and prospect
The Astros have acquired left-hander Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays for 23-year-old right-hander Jake Bloss, rookie outfielder Joey Loperfido and minor league first basem...JULY 30, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Toronto Blue Jays nailed the Yusei Kikuchi trade return from the Houston Astros The Toronto Blue Jays have dealt their biggest trade asset at the deadline, sending left-hander Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros in excha...
JULY 30, 2024 • BLUEJAYSNATION.COM
Blue Jays close to sending Kikuchi to Astros for top young arm Bloss (source) TORONTO -- The Blue Jays are closing in on their biggest deal of this Trade Deadline season so far, agreeing to send Yusei Kikuchi to the As...
JULY 30, 2024 • MLB.COM
Report: Astros Acquire Yusei Kikuchi in Trade With Blue Jays The injury-riddled Astros are making a splash at the trade deadline.
JULY 30, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Reports: Blue Jays deal LHP Yusei Kikuchi to Astros for RHP Jake Bloss The Houston Astros are acquiring left-hander Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays, multiple media outlets reported Monday night.CBS Spor...
JULY 30, 2024 • SACBEE.COM
Astros close in on deal for Blue Jays lefty Kikuchi (source) The Astros are close to adding a southpaw starter to their injury-depleted rotation, nearing a deal with the Blue Jays for Yusei Kikuchi, a...
JULY 30, 2024 • MLB.COM
Moved to Houston The Astros acquired Kikuchi from the Blue Jays on Monday in exchange for outfielder Joey Loperfido, right-hander Jake Bloss and infielder Will Wagner, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com repor...
Impact Kikuchi will head to Houston after producing a disappointing 4.75 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 130 strikeouts over 115.2 innings in 22 starts with Toronto this season. The left-hander has struggled to a 6.87 ERA over his last 12 starts, but he'll look to get back on track with the Astros. Kikuchi will return to the AL West after spending the first three years of his major-league career with the Mariners from 2019 through 2021.
JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Traded to Houston Kikuchi was traded to the Astros on Monday night, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Kikuchi will head to Houston after producing a disappointing 4.75 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 130 strikeouts over 115.2 innings in 22 starts with Toronto this season. The left-hander has struggled to a 6.87 ERA over his last 12 starts and he'll look to get back on track with the Astros. Kikuchi will return to the AL West after spending the first three years of his major-league career with the Mariners from 2019-2021.
JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers and Royals add pitchers in flurry of trades on day before MLB's deadline
The St. Louis Cardinals added starting pitcher Erick Fedde and Milwaukee, the team they are chasing in the NL Central, acquired starter Frankie MontasJULY 29, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Yusei Kikuchi gets standing ovation at Rogers Centre | 07/26/2024 Yusei Kikuchi receives a standing ovation from the crowd at Rogers Centre while exiting after his start
JULY 27, 2024 • MLB.COM
Breaking down Yusei Kikuchi's pitches | 07/26/2024 Pitch diagrams, the data behind Yusei Kikuchi's pitches
JULY 27, 2024 • MLB.COM
Another short outing Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Rangers, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.
Impact It's been a struggle for Kikuchi of late -- the left-hander has now gone eight starts without a win, posting a 7.79 ERA in that span while failing to make it through six innings in seven of those outings. Overall, Kikuchi is 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 130:30 K:BB across 115.2 innings. Despite his recent troubles, Kikuchi could very well be on the move prior to next week's trade deadline, with multiple contenders looking to reinforce their rotations.
JULY 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
