Here are the biggest factors that helped Yusei Kikuchi ascend to another level with Astros

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Here are the biggest factors that helped Yusei Kikuchi ascend to another level with Astros
Yusei Kikuchi has been lights out for the Astros. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.

When the Astros traded for Yusei Kikuchi at the trade deadline, most analysts believed Houston was adding to their overall starting pitching depth. Not trading for a difference-maker in the rotation.

Fortunately for the Astros, they saw something that nobody else did. Not only has a change of scenery helped Kikuchi elevate his game, but also the changes he's made to his pitch mix.

You can see in the graphic below that Kikuchi was asked by the Astros to throw less curveballs and fastballs, and throw significantly more sliders. And it's made all the difference in the world.

Photo via: MLB Network/YouTube screenshot.

The Astros certainly deserve credit for knowing how to get the most out of pitchers. And you have to wonder what Blue Jays fans are thinking when they see one of their players leave Toronto and start pitching like a Cy Young candidate over his next ten starts.

Be sure to watch the below below as MLB Network's Chris Young, along with Harold Reynolds and Greg Amsinger, analyzes the adjustments Yusei Kikuchi has made to his pitch usage since joining the Astros, which has resulted in remarkable production.

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Astros’ late collapse proves costly in loss to Angels

Astros' offense sputters in shutout loss to Angels

The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.

There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.

Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.

Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.

He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.

Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.

Key moment

The home run by Peraza.

Key stat

It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.

Up next

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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Astros’ late collapse proves costly in loss to Angels

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