Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi was once again not on top of his game Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks before being pulled after three innings. He struck out three batters and took a no-decision in the contest. Kikuchi has lasted no more than three innings in three of his last four starts, and he now has a 7.82 ERA in September. After the game, he was forced to answer questions about whether he deserved to make another start when his turn in the rotation comes around again. Fantasy managers should avoid using Kikuchi if possible.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi lasted just three innings Saturday, giving up three runs on eight hits and no walks with three strikeouts. He took the loss, dropping his record to 7-9. This was an inefficient outing for the left-hander, as Kikuchi threw 86 pitches in those three innings. With a 6.91 ERA over his past seven games, Kikuchi's season has been on the downswing since being named to the All-Star team, and fantasy managers should use him very carefully over the last few weeks of the year.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi had a bounce-back outing Sunday, allowing just one run on six hits and one walk in five innings to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He struck out eight batters and took a no-decision, though the Diamondbacks won 5-4 in the end. Kikuchi's had an up-and-down season, which makes decisions more difficult for fantasy managers. He takes a 4.23 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 157 strikeouts in 151 innings into his next matchup against the Kansas City Royals.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi was knocked out in the second inning of Monday's game against the Houston Astros. He allowed six runs (four earned) on three hits and four walks in 1 2/3 innings. Kikuchi was the victim of some suspect defense, but it was his own lack of command that did him in. The loss drops his record to 7-8 on the year, and he's a shaky play the rest of the way with recent inconsistent results.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi got back on track in a major way Tuesday, throwing seven shutout innings against the Houston Astros. He allowed four hits and two walks and struck out four batters. This outing figures to be a relief for fantasy managers, as Kikuchi had given up 14 runs in 12 innings in his last three starts. He now has a 4.12 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 149 strikeouts in 144 1/3 innings this season. Fantasy managers should exercise caution going forward, but he figures to be a steady option the rest of the way.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi looked sharp through the first five innings of Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals, putting up zeroes the whole way, but it all fell apart in the sixth. Kikuchi exited with the bases loaded and nobody out, having allowed one run on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts, but a Salvador Perez grand slam off reliever Joe Smith left him with four earned runs against him. Kikuchi now has a 5.56 ERA over his last seven games, and hasn't posted a quality start since August 3. Fantasy managers should proceed with caution the rest of the way.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi didn't handle the potent Houston Astros lineup well Friday night, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks in just 2 2/3 innings. He struck out two batters and allowed three home runs. Kikuchi left a lot of pitches over the middle in this one, and the Astros didn't miss. The loss drops his record to 7-7 for the season, and his ERA rises to 4.22. Kikuchi is still a solid fantasy option going forward despite the rough outing, but managers may want to sit him in the toughest matchups.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi was knocked out in the fifth inning Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays, having allowed three runs on five hits and four walks. He struck out five batters in his 4 1/3 innings and took a no-decision in the contest. It could have been much worse for Kikuchi, who amassed a high pitch count with constant traffic on the bases but managed to work out of trouble for the most part. Though he's been a very steady option for fantasy managers, they may want to sit him for this coming scoring period as he lines up with the Houston Astros.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi didn't allow a run in five innings against the Yankees Sunday. Over 97 pitches, Kikuchi allowed four hits, three walks, and a hit-by-pitch while striking out six. He took a no-decision in the contest. Through two August starts, Kikuchi has allowed two earned runs in 11 innings with 11 strikeouts. This represents a return to form for the left-hander, who gave up a 6.11 ERA in 28 August innings. Kikuchi has had a strong year with a 3.73 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 135 strikeouts in 125 1/3 innings. He's a strong fourth of fifth option on contending fantasy teams.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi delivered another quality start Tuesday night, giving him 13 on the season in 20 starts. He allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks in six innings while striking out five Tampa Bay Rays. His only meaningful mistake came on the first pitch of the game, which Randy Arozarena knocked out of the park for a home run. Kikuchi's 3.89 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 129 strikeouts in 120 1/3 innings have made him a sneaky fantasy value all year, and managers can continue to count on him for steady production going forward.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge went from being a late scratch to hitting a tiebreaking single in a two-run 10th inning to help the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight day, 3-1 on Wednesday night. Judge was taken out of the lineup about 30 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Although no announcement was made about why, the All-Star right fielder struck out in the fifth pinch-hitting for Estevan Florial. Judge returned to the team Tuesday after going on the COVID-19 injured list July 16. New York also had a big night off the field. The Yankees reached a deal to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers, a person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been announced and was subject to approval of medical records of the players involved. Greg Allen was hit by a pitch from Pete Fairbanks (3-4) leading off the 10th, putting runners on first and second. Judge... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge went from being a late scratch to hitting a tiebreaking single in a two-run 10th inning to help the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight day, 3-1 on Wednesday night. Judge was taken out of the lineup about 30 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Although no announcement was made about why, the All-Star right fielder struck out in the fifth pinch-hitting for Estevan Florial. Judge returned to the team Tuesday after going on the COVID-19 injured list July 16. New York also had a big night off the field. The Yankees reached a deal to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers, a person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been announced and was subject to approval of medical records of the players involved. Greg Allen was hit by a pitch from Pete Fairbanks (3-4) leading off the 10th, putting runners on first and second. Judge... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge went from being a late scratch to hitting a tiebreaking single in a two-run 10th inning to help the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight day, 3-1 on Wednesday night. Judge was taken out of the lineup about 30 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Although no announcement was made about why, the All-Star right fielder struck out in the fifth pinch-hitting for Estevan Florial. Judge returned to the team Tuesday after going on the COVID-19 injured list July 16. New York also had a big night off the field. The Yankees reached a deal to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers, a person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been announced and was subject to approval of medical records of the players involved. Greg Allen was hit by a pitch from Pete Fairbanks (3-4) leading off the 10th, putting runners on first and second. Judge... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge went from being a late scratch to hitting a tiebreaking single in a two-run 10th inning to help the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight day, 3-1 on Wednesday night. Judge was taken out of the lineup about 30 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Although no announcement was made about why, the All-Star right fielder struck out in the fifth pinch-hitting for Estevan Florial. Judge returned to the team Tuesday after going on the COVID-19 injured list July 16. New York also had a big night off the field. The Yankees reached a deal to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers, a person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been announced and was subject to approval of medical records of the players involved. Greg Allen was hit by a pitch from Pete Fairbanks (3-4) leading off the 10th, putting runners on first and second. Judge... [More]

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi took his sixth loss of the year Wednesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks in five innings against the Houston Astros. He struck out seven batters Kikuchi was the victim of a tight strike zone as well as an error by shortstop J.P. Crawford which served to elevate his pitch count and perhaps end his outing more quickly than fantasy managers would have preferred. Kikuchi now has a 4.01 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 124 strikeouts in 114 1/3 innings and remains a reliable fantasy option in all formats.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Franmil Reyes homered twice, the first a second-inning blast that bounced out of Progressive Field and almost dinged a bicyclist pedaling on a street, and the Cleveland Indians beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-2 on Wednesday. Reyes’ leadoff homer in the second glanced off the pedestrian bridge in left field and landed on the plaza area between the ballpark and Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. The ball traveled an estimated 446 feet. Reyes wasn’t done. He finished off Cleveland’s three-homer inning in the third with his 19th of the season, a 421-foot drive to center. César Hernández and José Ramírez also homered in the inning for Cleveland. Kwang Hyun Kim (6-6) gave up all four homers and lost for the first time since June 20. Zach Plesac (6-3) gave up two runs in five innings. Dylan Carlson homered for St. Louis. BLUE JAYS 4, RED SOX 1, 1ST GAME RED SOX 4, BLUE JAYS 1, 2ND GAME BOSTON (AP) — Rookie starter Tanner Houck struck out seven over four innings and Boston beat Toronto... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Franmil Reyes homered twice, the first a second-inning blast that bounced out of Progressive Field and almost dinged a bicyclist pedaling on a street, and the Cleveland Indians beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-2 on Wednesday. Reyes’ leadoff homer in the second glanced off the pedestrian bridge in left field and landed on the plaza area between the ballpark and Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. The ball traveled an estimated 446 feet. Reyes wasn’t done. He finished off Cleveland’s three-homer inning in the third with his 19th of the season, a 421-foot drive to center. César Hernández and José Ramírez also homered in the inning for Cleveland. Kwang Hyun Kim (6-6) gave up all four homers and lost for the first time since June 20. Zach Plesac (6-3) gave up two runs in five innings. Dylan Carlson homered for St. Louis. BLUE JAYS 4, RED SOX 1, 1ST GAME RED SOX 4, BLUE JAYS 1, 2ND GAME BOSTON (AP) — Rookie starter Tanner Houck struck out seven over four innings and Boston beat Toronto... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Franmil Reyes homered twice, the first a second-inning blast that bounced out of Progressive Field and almost dinged a bicyclist pedaling on a street, and the Cleveland Indians beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-2 on Wednesday. Reyes’ leadoff homer in the second glanced off the pedestrian bridge in left field and landed on the plaza area between the ballpark and Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. The ball traveled an estimated 446 feet. Reyes wasn’t done. He finished off Cleveland’s three-homer inning in the third with his 19th of the season, a 421-foot drive to center. César Hernández and José Ramírez also homered in the inning for Cleveland. Kwang Hyun Kim (6-6) gave up all four homers and lost for the first time since June 20. Zach Plesac (6-3) gave up two runs in five innings. Dylan Carlson homered for St. Louis. BLUE JAYS 4, RED SOX 1, 1ST GAME BOSTON (AP) — Robbie Ray pitched six strong innings, Randal Grichuk homered and drove in three runs, and Toronto Jays beat Boston in... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers hit two home runs, including a go-ahead blast in the fifth inning, to help the Boston Red Sox best New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole for the second straight time at Fenway Park in a 6-2 victory Friday night. Devers followed his two-run with a three-run homer in the seventh — the 100th of his career — to help Boston improve to 9-2 against New York this season. The Red Sox maintained their one-game AL East lead over Tampa Bay and increased their lead to nine games over the third-place Yankees. Yacksel Rios (3-0) got the victory, pitching two scoreless innings to cap a strong night from the bullpen after starter Eduardo Rodriguez left in the second inning after experiencing migraine symptoms. Cole (10-5) started strong for New York, but was pulled after fiving innings, giving up three runs off six hits, striking out eight and walking two. METS 3, BLUE JAYS 0 NEW YORK (AP) — Tylor Megill threw six scoreless innings for his first big league victory and got his first... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The game between the San Diego Padres and Washington was suspended in the sixth inning Saturday night after police said there was a shooting outside Nationals Park. The shooting, an exchange of gunfire between people in two cars, left three people injured, according to Ashan Benedict, the Metropolitan Police Department’s executive assistant police chief. One of the people who was shot was a woman who was attending the game and who was struck while she was outside the stadium, he said. Her injuries weren’t considered life-threatening. Two people who were in one of the cars later walked into a local hospital with gunshot wounds and were being questioned by investigators, Benedict said, and the extent of their injuries wasn’t immediately clear. Investigators were still trying to locate the second vehicle involved in the shooting. The gunshots caused panic among fans inside the stadium, some of whom ducked for cover, hiding underneath tables and behind seats as announcers... [More]