Matchup Machine | Ballpark Pal

Michael A. Taylor

matchup for Yusei Kikuchi

34th out of 437 (Best 9%)

Yusei Kikuchi

matchup for M. A. Taylor

450th out of 567 (Worst 21%)

Extreme advantage for Kikuchi

Michael A. Taylor has a 23.0% chance of reaching base vs Yusei Kikuchi, which is 3.8% lower than A. Taylor's typical expectations, and 3.5% lower than batters facing Kikuchi.

	Reach	Hit	HR	2B / 3B	1B	BB	K
Prediction	23.0%	16.9%	2.3%	4.6%	10.1%	6.1%	42.3%
A. Taylor	-3.8	-1.7	+0.1	+0.2	-2.0	-2.1	+4.8
Kikuchi	-3.5	-3.6	-0.4	-0.2	-3.0	+0.1	+12.8

Michael A. Taylor is better vs left-handed pitching. Yusei Kikuchi is left handed with a horizontal release toward the first base side. A. Taylor has a C grade vs this particular release point.

Yusei Kikuchi throws a 4-seam fastball 44% of the time. Michael A. Taylor has an F grade against left-handed 4-seamers

Pitch Type

% of Arsenal

4-Seam (L)

44%

Slider (L)

24%

Changeup (L)

11%

Curve (L)

11%

Cutter (L)

7% of Yusei Kikuchi's pitches are classified as Strong Challenges, which is 2% higher than the MLB average. Michael A. Taylor has an F grade against this type of pitch.

Show pitch label key

Pitch Label

% vs MLB

Strong Challenge 7%

+2%

Mid Challenge 13%

+2%

Fringe Miss 13%

+0%

Non-Competitive 13%

+0%

Edge Painter 17%

+0%

Chaser 6%

Meatball 5%

-1%

Weak Challenge 7%

-2%

Likely Ball 17%

-2%

28% of Yusei Kikuchi's pitches are classified as Fast Velocity, which is 18% higher than the MLB average. Michael A. Taylor has a D- grade against this type of pitch.

Physical Trait

% vs MLB

Fast Velo 28%

+18%

Minimal Break 18%

+8%

Medium Ride 22%

+8%

20.9% of Michael A. Taylor's plate appearances result in a strikeout, which is 10.6% higher than the league average. Yusei Kikuchi strikes out 18.4% of the batters he faces, which is 4.3% higher than the typical MLB rate.

MLB Typical BP Label

10%

Strikeout +10.6% +4.3% 4%

Walk +0.1% -1.5% 44%

In Play -10.7% -2.8% 39%

On Base -2.8% -1.1% 31%

Hit -2.9% +0.3% 14%

Single -1.9% +0.0% 13%

2B / 3B -1.8% +0.2% 3%

Home Run +0.8% +0.1%

34.6% of Michael A. Taylor's batted balls are classified as Standard Grounders, which is 0.2% higher than the league average. Yusei Kikuchi induces Standard Grounders at a 36.2% rate, which is 1.8% higher than the typical MLB rate.

MLB Typical BP Label

Squib/Bunt +1.4% -0.5% 34%

Standard Grounder +0.2% +1.8% 7%

Hard Grounder +0.3% +0.9% 14%

Low Screamer -2.1% -3.2% 9%

Rising Liner -0.6% -1.0% 4%

Maybe Homer +0.9% -0.2% 3%

Likely Homer -0.2% +0.8% 1%

No Doubter +0.2% +0.9% 20%

Routine Flyout +0.2% +1.1% 3%

Pop up -0.3% -0.7%

26.9% of Michael A. Taylor's batted balls are above 100 mph when they exit the bat, which is 2.6% higher than the league average. 28.4% of batted balls allowed by Yusei Kikuchi are hit at above 100 mph, which is 4.1% higher than the typical MLB rate.

MLB Typical BP Label

16%

Below 75 mph +3.9% -2.8% 21%

75 to 86 mph -2.9% -3.0% 18%

87 to 93 mph -0.2% +0.4% 19%

94 to 99 mph -3.5% +1.3% 24%

Above 100 mph +2.6% +4.1%

11.5% of Michael A. Taylor's batted balls exit the bat at a launch angle between 29 and 38 degrees, which is 0.1% higher than the league average. 12.5% of batted balls allowed by Yusei Kikuchi are hit at this angle, which is 1.1% higher than the typical MLB rate.

MLB Typical BP Label

17%

Below -10° +2.7% +1.4% 12%

-10 to 0° -0.5% +1.6% 8%

1 to 6° -0.5% +0.6% 18%

7 to 18° -1.1% -3.1% 15%

19 to 28° +0.1% +0.0% 11%

29 to 38° +0.1% +1.1% 7%

39 to 50° -0.4% +0.4% 8%

Above 50° -0.3% -2.1%

Michael A. Taylor has 8 plate appearances against Yusei Kikuchi in the last 3 years. He is 1 for 7 with a home run, a walk

	PA	AB	H	HR	2/3B	1B	K	BB	Avg
Actual	8	7	1	1	0	0	0	1	0.143
Expected From Contact →			1.55	0.95	0.07	0.53			0.222

		Expected From Contact
Date	Outcome	HR	2/3B	1B	Out
2025-03-27	Groundout
2025-03-27	Groundout
2024-06-01	Flyout		2%		98%
2024-06-01	Sac Bunt
2023-10-04	Bunt Groundout
2023-06-09	Home Run	95%	4%
2023-06-09	Pop Out			24%	76%
2022-06-08	Walk

Expected From Contact: A model predicts the outcome of every ball hit in play based on how it leaves the bat (exit velocity, launch angle, direction, and batter handedness). This helps control for luck, weather, and the park the hitter was in.

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Model Prediction

Handedness and Release Point

Click on a grade for a detailed view

On the Way to the Plate

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Contact and Outcomes

History

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Model Prediction

Handedness and Release Point

Click on a grade for a detailed view

On the Way to the Plate

Click on a grade for a detailed view

Contact and Outcomes

History

Matchup Machine
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