Kikuchi was throwing a bit harder than usual tonight, but he still gave up plenty of hard contact and he managed just six whiffs while throwing 99 pitches. Still, it was kind of a typical outing for him this year. Among the 80 qualified pitchers, he’s a solid 39th with a 3.23 ERA yet 79th with a 1.59 WHIP. We don’t like him in mixed leagues right now, but the daring could try him for a two-start week against the A’s and O’s next week.

The 33-year-old southpaw racked up seven strikeouts on the afternoon while allowing four free passes. The only damage done against him came on an RBI single by Shohei Ohtani in the fifth inning. Kikuchi got 10 swings and misses on 98 pitches on the afternoon — seven on his fastball — while posting a CSW of 29 percent. He exited with a 4-1 lead and in line for his first victory as a member of the Angels, but his bullpen was unable to hang on for him. He’ll carry a 3.50 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 50/26 K/BB ratio (54 innings) into a premium matchup against the Marlins on Friday.