Yusei

Kikuchi

The Jays might have preferred more length from Kikuchi today, though going to the pen early didn’t hurt them at all; the middle-relief corps pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings before Jordan Romano blew the game in the ninth. This matches Kikuchi’s shortest start of the year. He has a 2.60 ERA and a 55/10 K/BB through nine starts.

Bassitt now figures to start Friday after the off day, which is a better matchup for him against the Rays. Kevin Gausman and Alek Manoah will also get a little extra rest as a result of the postponement.

Kikuchi allowed four hits, walked none and struck out three. He currently has a 5.1 K:BB ratio (46/9 in 47 2/3 IP). He came in at 2.4 in his first four years in MLB before finishing at 3.8 in his breakthrough 2023 campaign.

Kikuchi left with a two-run lead and then watched the bullpen give up seven runs in two innings. This is probably the Jays’ ugliest loss yet, particularly since they were facing Patrick Corbin. Kikuchi is certainly doing his part thus far, amassing a 2.72 ERA and a 43/9 K/BB ratio in 39 2/3 innings. Still, the Jays are 3-4 when he pitches, having scored a total of 20 runs in those seven games.

Kikuchi gave up too much contact that found open field against the Dodgers. He allowed a leadoff triple to Mookie Betts to start the game, who then scored on a sacrifice fly. Four base hits in the second inning would bring in two more runs for Los Angeles. Kikuchi worked around a base hit in the third, then gave up a fourth run on two hits in the fourth. He finished strong with pair of clean innings in the fifth and sixth, striking out three on the day. The 32-year-old left-hander will take a 2.94 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 36/8 K/BB ratio across 33 2/3 innings into a road start against the Nationals on Friday.

Kikuchi carried a shutout into the sixth inning before coughing up a two-run shot to Royals leadoff man Maikel Garcia, which accounted for the only damage against him in this one. He piled up four strikeouts and didn’t hand out a free pass in this one. The 32-year-old southpaw is putting together one of the best stretches of his career, allowing two earned runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, while also completing six frames in three of those outings. He’ll carry a pristine 2.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 33/8 K/BB ratio across 27 2/3 innings (five starts) into a challenging home outing on Saturday against the Dodgers.

Kikuchi got off to a hot start, striking out the first three batters he faced on just 17 pitches. He would continue to dominate throughout the remainder of his outing, finishing the day with nine strikeouts while scattering four hits across six innings. His lone run allowed came in the second inning on a Jose Trevino single, but Kikuchi managed to tightrope out of danger with just the one run despite allowing two base runners in the inning. He’s now struck out nine batters in back-to-back games, and has lowered his ERA to 2.08 on the year. He’ll look to continue his solid start to the season on Monday when he takes on the Royals.

Kikuchi had 13 missed swings and a nice 33% CSW against the slumping Mariners lineup. Although he struggled to a 16.43 ERA this spring, he’s opened the regular season with a 2.30 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings. Now if only the Jays could get him a win.

All four hits he allowed were singles. Kikuchi likes facing the Yankees, having gone 5-3 with a 3.24 ERA against them in his career. Yimi García, Genesis Cabrera, Trevor Richards and Chad Green finished the shutout today. Kikuchi will take a 2.79 ERA into his next start against the Mariners.

Kikuchi saw constant traffic throughout his start, as he allowed six hits and also issues three walks. It’s just one start, but it’s at least a little concerning that it comes after the southpaw was lit up in the Grapefruit League; allowing 14 runs over 7 2/3 innings in his three starts. Kikuchi will try and bounce back Friday when he faces off against the Yankees.