The Kansas City Royals will take on the Los Angeles Anaheim Angels of Anaheim, California tonight in what will be the last game I cover this season. Being a west coast game, it will also force me to stay
up past my bedtime.
The Royals will start Stephen Kolek. Kolek has been on a nice little run since joining the rotation on August 30, making four starts and completing the sixth inning in each of them while not allowing more than two runs in any. This success has been fueled by a microscopic 3.0% walk rate, no home runs allowed, and 55.8% groundball rate. He pitched into the eighth in his last outing and struck out a season-high eight batters. Kolek has never faced the Angels.
Los Angeles will counter with Yusei Kikuchi. Kikuchi has not been able to carry over the improvements he demonstrated with Houston last season as his strikeout and walk rates have both moved in the wrong direction. Hitters have teed off on his fastball this year and he’s been absolutely crushed by right-handed batters, against whom he lacks a reliable weapon. He has a 5.82 ERA in 12 starts since the All-Star break. Kikuchi last faced Kansas City in August 2024 with the Astros, striking out 12 and allowing just one run in seven innings.
Luke Maile will start for the first time in a couple weeks. Vinnie Pasquantino is the only lefty in the lineup against the southpaw Kikuchi.
First pitch: 8:38 pm CDT
