YUSEI KIKUCHI NEWS

Blue Jays edge out Phillies thanks to excellent pitching from Yusei Kikuchi and the bullpen That's the kind of win we're hoping to see in October. ...

AUGUST 16, 2023 • BLUEJAYSNATION.COM

Takes tough luck loss Kikuchi (9-4) took the loss Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings against Cleveland. He struck out six.

Impact Kikuchi was magnificent Tuesday, earning his third consecutive quality start. The 32-year-old's sole blemish came in the second inning when Oscar Gonzalez reached on an infield single and scored on a Ramon Laureano double. Kikuchi then retired 16 of the final 18 batters he faced; however, he didn't receive any run support and was tagged with an unfortunate loss. The southpaw has been lights out in five outings since the All-Star break, boasting a 1.24 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB across 29 innings during that stretch. Kikuchi will look to get back in the win column in his next start, which is projected to take place at home versus the Cubs over the weekend.

AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Breaking down Yusei Kikuchi's pitches | 08/08/2023 Pitch diagrams, the data behind Yusei Kikuchi's pitches

AUGUST 9, 2023 • MLB.COM

Yusei Kikuchi's outing against the Guardians | 08/08/2023 The data behind Yusei Kikuchi's outing

AUGUST 9, 2023 • MLB.COM

Yusei Kikuchi strikes out six | 08/08/2023 Yusei Kikuchi punches out six batters over seven strong innings in his start against the Guardians

AUGUST 9, 2023 • MLB.COM

Yusei Kikuchi's gem wasn't enough as Blue Jays get shut out in Cleveland The Yusei Kikuchi Revenge Tour showed up in Cleveland on Tuesday but t...

AUGUST 9, 2023 • BLUEJAYSNATION.COM

Surging Blue Jays send Yusei Kikuchi to face Guardians The Toronto Blue Jays will try for their fifth straight victory when they visit the Cleveland Guardians in the second game of their four-gam...

AUGUST 8, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Sharp in ninth win Kikuchi (9-3) picked up the win in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the Orioles, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three.

Impact The southpaw tossed 60 of 91 pitches for strikes in his second straight quality start. Kikuchi has an impressive 1.23 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 22 innings since the All-Star break, and his current form should allow him to hold onto a rotation spot even after Toronto cuts back down to a five-man unit later this month. He'll try to stay efficient and effective in his next outing, likely to come early next week in Cleveland.

AUGUST 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yusei Kikuchi's outing against the Orioles | 08/02/2023 The data behind Yusei Kikuchi's outing

AUGUST 3, 2023 • MLB.COM

Fans eight in eighth win Kikuchi (8-3) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks over six innings in an 8-1 victory over the Dodgers. He struck out eight.

Impact The southpaw delivered his first quality start since June 25 while generating an impressive 33 called or swinging strikes among his 103 pitches. Kikuchi wraps up July with a 3.91 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB through 25.1 innings on the month, and he'll need to keep pitching well if he wants to hang onto his rotation spot with Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) on the verge of making his 2023 debut.

JULY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yusei Kikuchi's eight strikeouts | 07/26/2023 Yusei Kikuchi strikes out eight batters over six stellar innings in his impressive start vs. the Dodgers

JULY 27, 2023 • MLB.COM

Strong start goes to waste Kikuchi allowed five hits and a walk while striking out eight over 5.1 scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Friday.

Impact Kikuchi pitched into the sixth inning for the first time in four starts in July, and he delivered his third scoreless effort of the season. While he's had some struggles this year, the Blue Jays' bullpen was responsible for this loss. Kikuchi is now at a reasonable 3.92 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 108:31 K:BB over 103.1 innings through 20 starts. He's projected for a home start versus the Angels his next time out, though Kikuchi could be bumped up to a take a road start versus the Dodgers if Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) needs one more rehab start in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

JULY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yusei Kikuchi's eight strikeouts | 07/21/2023 Yusei Kikuchi has an impressive outing in his 20th start of the season, striking out eight batters while letting up zero runs in 5 1/3 innin...

JULY 22, 2023 • MLB.COM

Jays' Yusei Kikuchi set for first start back in Seattle Jarred Kelenic struggled to hold back tears as he sat in the Seattle Mariners' dugout answering questions from reporters before the Thursday...

JULY 21, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Lacks command in brief start Kikuchi did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out four.

Impact Though Kikuchi only allowed two hits, he continuously put himself in difficult situations, walking three batters and hitting two others during 4.1 innings of work. The first run against Kikuchi came on an errant pickoff attempt that allowed Lourdes Gurriel to score in the first frame, while the second run came on a wild pitch that plated Nick Ahmed in the third. Kikuchi's lack of control was uncharacteristic, as he hadn't walked more than two batters in six straight appearances and had only hit one batter leading up to Sunday's outing. Kikuchi will look to regain his command in his next projected start, which is lined up to come against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Breaking down Yusei Kikuchi's pitches | 07/16/2023 Pitch diagrams, the data behind Yusei Kikuchi's pitches

JULY 16, 2023 • MLB.COM

Yields four runs in no-decision Kikuchi allowed four runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against the White Sox in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader.

Impact Kikuchi displayed solid control (he threw 53 of 76 pitches for a strike) and racked up 14 whiffs, but he lasted just five frames. A third-inning two-run homer by Eloy Jimenez accounted for half the overall damage against the southpaw, who has given up nine runs over 9.1 innings through two starts in July. That follows what had looked to be a breakout month of June during which Kikuchi posted a 2.28 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 33:6 K:BB across 27.2 frames.

JULY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged for five runs in loss Kikuchi (7-3) took the loss Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against Boston. He struck out seven.

Impact Kikuchi was first victimized by a two-run home run from Rafael Devers in the top of the third to put the Blue Jays down 2-1. He would again run into trouble in the fifth after giving up a leadoff single to Rob Refsnyder, surrendering another three runs in the inning on four hits as Boston added to its lead. It marked the lefty's first loss since May 24 against the Rays, which was also the last time he allowed five runs in a start this season. Kikuchi had made it through at least six innings in each of his previous two starts and now sports a 40:8 K:BB ratio since the start of June following his seven-strikeout performance.

JULY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yusei Kikuchi escapes a jam | 07/01/2023 The Official Site of Major League Baseball

JULY 1, 2023 • MLB.COM

Yusei Kikuchi fans seven | 07/01/2023 Yusei Kikuchi strikes out seven batters through 4 1/3 innings of work in his start against the Red Sox

JULY 1, 2023 • MLB.COM

Dominates Athletics Kikuchi (7-2) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over seven innings against the Athletics. He struck out eight.

Impact Kikuchi lasted seven innings for the first time all season Sunday, giving up just one run to pick up his first win since May 30. The outing marked his second consecutive appearance allowing two hits while also being his second straight quality start. Over his last five appearances (32.2 innings), Kikuchi boasts a 2.48 ERA and a 37:11 K:BB despite dishing out six home runs. He's tentatively lined up for a home start against Boston late next week.

JUNE 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yusei Kikuchi is riding high and lower velocity on 2 pitches could be the reason The Blue Jays lefty has allowed one earned run with 14 strikeouts over 13 innings in his past two starts.

JUNE 25, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Yusei Kikuchi strikes out eight | 06/25/2023 Yusei Kikuchi strikes out eight batters and allows just two hits in seven strong innings vs. the Athletics

JUNE 25, 2023 • MLB.COM

Yusei Kikuchi strikes out eight | 06/25/2023 Yusei Kikuchi strikes out eight batters and allows just two hits in seven strong innings vs. the Athletics

JUNE 25, 2023 • MLB.COM

Yusei Kikuchi fans JJ Bleday | 06/25/2023 The Official Site of Major League Baseball

JUNE 25, 2023 • MLB.COM