The Kansas City Royals are set to face off against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a west coast game tonight, marking the final game of the season for this coverage. As the Royals aim to close the season on a strong note, they will rely on their starting pitcher Stephen Kolek, who has been impressive since joining the rotation in late August. Kolek has consistently managed to pitch deep into games, going at least six innings in his last four starts and maintaining a remarkable low walk rate, coupled with a solid groundball rate. His recent performance saw him pitch into the eighth inning while striking out a personal season-high of eight batters. Notably, this will be his first encounter with the Angels.
The Angels will respond with Yusei Kikuchi on the mound. Kikuchi has struggled to replicate the success he found with the Houston Astros last season, as both his strikeout and walk rates have worsened. His fastball has been vulnerable this year, particularly against right-handed batters, contributing to a 5.82 ERA across 12 starts since the All-Star break. Despite past success against Kansas City—where he struck out 12 and allowed just one run in a stellar performance for the Astros in August 2024—he faces challenges this season.
Luke Maile makes his return to the lineup for the Royals, starting for the first time in several weeks. Vinnie Pasquantino stands as the sole left-handed hitter facing Kikuchi, adding intrigue to this late-season matchup. The game is slated for a first pitch at 8:38 pm CDT, and fans will be keenly watching to see how both pitchers perform against the opposing lineups. As the Royals aim to end the season on a high, this game promises to deliver an exciting conclusion.