Here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye on throughout the day today:
1. Bradish to return:
Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish is set to make his first MLB start in more than a year today when Baltimore activates him from the 60-day injured list. The club will need to make a corresponding move to create space for Bradish on the 40-man roster before tonight’s game against Lucas Giolito (3.72 ERA in 20 starts) and the Red Sox. Bradish hasn’t impressed in six rehab starts this year in the minor leagues, but he looked electric in eight starts last year when he posted a 2.75 ERA (2.50 FIP) and a 32.5% strikeout rate before requiring Tommy John surgery. If he can log anything close to those numbers down the stretch this year, it would go a long way toward stabilizing the Orioles’ rotation ahead of the 2026 campaign.
2. Kikuchi goes for 1000 strikeouts:
Angels southpaw Yusei Kikuchi is in his first year with Anaheim, and the two-time All-Star is having a solid season. In 27 starts, he’s pitched to a 3.42 ERA with a 23.6% strikeout rate in 150 innings of work. He’s set to make his 28th start today against the Rangers and veteran lefty Patrick Corbin. Notably, Kikuchi is just 10 strikeouts shy of becoming only the fourth Japanese-born pitcher to reach 1000 career strikeouts in MLB, joining Yu Darvish, Hideo Nomo, and Kenta Maeda. While punching out ten hitters in a game is a tall order, it’s hardly impossible; Kikuchi has two ten-strikeout games this year, and nine total across his MLB career. The Rangers, meanwhile, have MLB’s tenth-highest strikeout rate against southpaws (23.6%).
3. MLBTR Chat today:
The trade deadline is in the rearview mirror, and the stretch run has officially begun. There’s no shortage of close postseason races, and it’s never too early to look ahead to the offseason and what free agency and the winter trade market might bring. MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be hosting a live chat this afternoon at 12:45pm CT to discuss it all. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.
“…it’s hardly from impossible…”
Heck, I had 1,000 strikeouts. Oh wait, that was when I was batting. Never mind.
@whyhayzee
How many were looking? I’d be upset if you’re looking at strikes. You need a 2-strike approach of just fighting them off and making contact. I’d rather you swing through the pitch than be window shopping.
I honestly think I never got called out on strikes. I needed as many swings as possible just to have a chance at making contact. Anything above 80 MPH, there was no hope.
hayzee – Girls you tried to date don’t count ;O)
That’s where I thought the joke was headed, at first. Playing on a Dangerfield joke.
Two strikeouts tonight and he passes his fellow countryman, Masahiro Tanaka. But I don’t remember of any mention at MLBTR of Max Fried getting 1,000 Ks on August 16th.
Old York, Max Fried plays for the Yankees, therefore nobody cares to hear about Max Fried or the lowly Yankees no matter the records being set!!! LOL just kidding!!!
this might be the first angels mention in opener all year. let us have it.
Congrats Cal!!
Nomo, Kuroda and Darvish all played for the Dodgers.
Based on what his stats look like on minor league rehab I think its unrealistic to expect bradish to be anywhere close to looking like the pre tj version from last year
Man, Nomo was a good one, brings back good memories! Nomomania was definitely a thing.
Acoss – Want to talk about good memories?
My first game of 2001, which was the second game of the season, was Nomo’s no-hitter in Baltimore.
And my last game of 2001 was also in Baltimore, Cal’s last game.
Can’t start and end a regular season better than that!
Fever,
Dude you got to see two legendary games in one year!
I almost went to the 20 strikeouts game from Kerry Wood, that’s my one regret lol
Acoss – Yeah I’ve been blessed to have attended a lot of great games, mostly at the height of the Red Sox glory days.
Not so much these days, everything costs so much more now.
Some day I’d like to get to Wrigley.
I was at the Red Sox game when the Minnesota Twins turned (2) 5-4-3 triple plays against Boston. Gary Gaetti turned both of them by stepping on 3rd and then throwing to 2nd and then on to 1st to complete them. Somehow, the Red Sox still won the game, but it was pretty cool to see history albeit the bad kind against the home team Red Sox.
Dotty – Very cool !!
Who the heck was the batter for the Sox, Mike Marshall? Wade Boggs? Had to be somebody really, really slow!
I was at the Moose near-perfecto, so glad Carl broke it up.
I’m not expecting much from Kyle tonight, in fact the Sox may light him up. If the O’s were in contention, he wouldn’t have gotten the call yet.
Sox gonna light him up!
Not to talk fantasy, but I have him and I’m sitting him for that exact reason. With any pitcher coming back, you never know and it’ll be good to see what he’s got, but expectations have to be minimal to start, and maybe he’ll surprise ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Probably a good move Paleo. I imagine he’ll be on a count as well so even if he is doing OK, they’ll likely limit to so many pitches.
Surprising to not see Jordan Romano get DFA’ed today. I get that his underlying numbers aren’t bad but he’s getting rocked every other time he’s out there. Just eat the remaining money and send him packing. And I say this as a Mets fan.
Reminding everyone here to look at the article where Kikuchi signed with the Angels.
I never got why he gets hated on, being traded to the Astros, he got bashed to oblivion and back. Signed with the Angels, he also bashed to oblivion and back….
Congrats and hopefully you reach 1,000 strikeouts!