The Angels' pitching concerns continued to mount Tuesday as Yusei Kikuchi struggled through 5.1 innings, surrendering five earned runs in a 6-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. The left-hander's command issues — four walks and six hits allowed — overshadowed another solid offensive showing from shortstop Zach Neto, who collected two hits in three at-bats as the Halos dropped their latest spring training contest.
Kikuchi's Command Problems Surface Again
Kikuchi's outing raised red flags about his readiness for the regular season rotation. The southpaw struck out five but couldn't locate his fastball consistently, walking four Cubs batters and allowing Chicago to build early momentum. His 5.1-innings effort resulted in five earned runs on six hits, a concerning trend for a pitcher the Angels are counting on to provide stability behind their ace.
The Cubs capitalized on Kikuchi's wildness, with Nico Hoerner leading the charge by going 3-for-5 with an RBI. Michael Busch added two hits in three at-bats, while prospect Matt Shaw drove in two runs on a 2-for-4 performance that showcased why Chicago's front office remains high on his development.
Matthew Boyd Dominates Angels Lineup
On the other side, Cubs veteran Matthew Boyd reminded everyone why he's competing for a rotation spot with a dominant 5.2-inning performance. The left-hander carved up Angels hitters with 10 strikeouts while allowing just two hits and one earned run. Boyd's command was everything Kikuchi's wasn't — precise, aggressive, and efficient.
The Cubs bullpen continued the excellent pitching display. Hunter Harvey struck out three over 1.1 scoreless innings, Caleb Thielbar added a perfect inning with two strikeouts, and Daniel Palencia closed it out with another strikeout in his scoreless frame.
Neto Provides Lone Bright Spot
While the Angels managed just five hits total, Neto continued his impressive spring by going 2-for-3, further cementing his case as the everyday shortstop. The young infielder has consistently made solid contact and shown improved plate discipline throughout camp.
The Angels' bullpen performed admirably once Kikuchi departed. Ryan Zeferjahn worked 0.2 innings with one strikeout, and Brent Suter was particularly impressive with four strikeouts over two innings, allowing three hits but no runs.
What This Means Moving Forward
With the regular season approaching, Kikuchi's inconsistent command remains a concern for manager Ron Washington and the coaching staff. Spring training stats don't carry over, but patterns of performance do, and the left-hander needs to find his strike zone quickly.
The silver lining comes from the bullpen arms who showed well after Kikuchi's departure, and Neto's continued offensive development provides optimism for the lineup's depth.
The Angels return to action Wednesday as they continue fine-tuning their roster decisions with just weeks remaining before Opening Day.
