Adam Burke considers Yusei Kikuchi a clear fade due to sharp decline in slider effectiveness and shaky control (8 walks allowed over 18 innings). Kikuchi's slider spin rate and velocity have notably dropped, resulting in elevated home runs and extremely hard contact against right-handers (.313 BA, .750 SLG against slider). Meanwhile, Burke notes Tyler Mahle's solid early performance for Texas (two runs in 13.2 innings), as well as an excellent Rangers bullpen (compared to Angels losing flamethrower Ben Joyce). With pitching, bullpen, and lineup advantages decidedly favoring Texas, Burke grades Rangers -125 as solid value.

ESPN Fantasy advised benching Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi in fantasy baseball due to worrisome struggles with command in early starts this season. Kikuchi, who signed a sizable three-year, $63 million contract this past offseason, has walked eight batters and allowed four home runs in just 18 innings. Despite strong performance following his acquisition by Houston last season, his current struggles are significant enough to warrant sitting him against a strong Rangers lineup until command issues are resolved.

Despite highlighting clear concerns with Yusei Kikuchi, who has struggled in all appearances so far (0-2, 5.00 ERA, including walking five batters vs Cardinals and a poor outing at Tampa Bay), Kenny G nonetheless slightly favors taking Angels at plus money (+105) against struggling Rangers. Rangers' recent poor offense (26th in MLB in runs scored, 26th in batting average, last in on-base percentage) and pitching woes (Patrick Corbin's shaky start 6.75 ERA and 4.37 bullpen ERA) add to Angels' allure as a small-value underdog despite Kikuchi's shaky recent form.

JD Bets recommends avoiding Yusei Kikuchi's strikeout prop against the Tampa Bay Rays, emphasizing Tampa's excellent plate discipline, ranking 4th lowest in the league with just 7.4 strikeouts per game. Despite Kikuchi's solid 6 strikeout average, Tampa’s proven batting discipline negates promising strikeout upside. JD explicitly suggests staying away from Kikuchi's strikeouts tonight due to this clear matchup disadvantage.

ESPN Fantasy advised caution when considering Angels left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi for his road matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. While Kikuchi was credited with quality starts in his first two appearances, both outings involved allowing six runs (though only three of those were earned in each instance), and he has struggled significantly with control, issuing five walks in his most recent start. Although being left-handed could mitigate the short right-field dimensions at the Rays' park, ESPN notes the Rays remain a dangerous offensive lineup, causing Kikuchi to be a risky start.

ESPN Fantasy strongly advises avoiding Yusei Kikuchi for Wednesday's matchup versus Tampa Bay after he allowed six runs (three earned) in both of his previous starts, and struggled significantly with control, including five walks in his latest appearance. Even though Kikuchi initially logged quality start credits, the underlying concerns are significant, particularly against Tampa Bay's dangerous lineup at George Steinbrenner Field. Being a left-handed pitcher may slightly help Kikuchi avoid issues with the short porch in right field, but his recent struggles and Tampa Bay's offensive potency make him a cautionary play best left benched in fantasy and DFS contexts.

Eric Lindquist recommended betting under 6.5 strikeouts for Yusei Kikuchi against the White Sox lineup, highlighting matchup concerns with left-handed batters Mike Tauchman and Andrew Benintendi both expected to start. Lindquist noted these lefty-versus-lefty matchups as particularly troubling, suggesting Kikuchi will be less effective against them. He originally cashed this at +105 odds before the line moved to -115, still rating it a strong bet given the unfavorable platoon splits and overall skillset of the White Sox hitters against lefties, making it a clear spot to target unders rather than positive outcomes.