Jesús Luzardo’s first 11 outings in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform were nothing short of spectacular, solidifying the 27-year-old left-hander as one of the best acquisitions of the MLB offseason. With a dazzling 2.15 ERA, a WHIP of 1.18, and 77 strikeouts across 67 innings, Luzardo was not only dominating on the mound, but he also seemed poised for a serious run at the Cy Young Award. Particularly impressive were his recent back-to-back performances, in which he reached double digits in strikeouts, further fueling speculation that the Phillies had struck gold in acquiring him.
Yet baseball is a humbling sport, and in his twelfth start of the season, Luzardo experienced a dramatic reversal of fortune. Against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, Luzardo surrendered a career-worst 12 earned runs, the highest total given up by a Phillies starting pitcher in nearly 80 years—since 1947. In just 3 1/3 innings, he gave up 12 hits, issued three walks, and managed only four strikeouts. The damage was done quickly and decisively, and the Phillies found themselves on the wrong side of a 17-7 defeat.
This disastrous outing had an immediate and severe effect on Luzardo’s season stats. Entering the game with the eighth-best ERA in all of Major League Baseball and having maintained an ERA under 3.00 since his second start of the year, Luzardo saw his ERA balloon to 3.58 after this single outing. His WHIP also rose significantly to 1.34. The magnitude of the collapse shocked fans and analysts alike.
Manager Rob Thomson, addressing the media after the game, was asked about his decision to leave Luzardo in the game while the Brewers piled on runs. Thomson acknowledged the importance of individual statistics, but he also highlighted the need for resilience and a team-first mentality among his players. “Statistics matter,” Thomson said. “You want your guys to have great years, but at some point too, you’ve got to battle through things, and you’ve got to do it for your teammates. You’ve got to strike that balance.”
Thomson’s remarks offered insight into the broader context of the decision. The Phillies’ bullpen had been heavily utilized throughout the week. Just one night prior, three relievers had been used in a close game. Additionally, a doubleheader earlier in the week against the Atlanta Braves had stretched the bullpen even thinner, requiring seven different arms. Given the lopsided nature of Saturday’s game and the need to preserve key relievers for more competitive situations, the coaching staff opted to let Luzardo try to work through the struggle on his own.
There was also consideration for Luzardo’s durability and pitch volume over the season thus far. Before Saturday’s outing, Luzardo had already eclipsed his total innings pitched from the previous year, logging over 66 2/3 innings. He had been averaging more than six innings per start and had thrown a total of 510 pitches over his five previous games—an average of 102 pitches per game. On Saturday, he added 76 more pitches to that workload. The Phillies are clearly leaning on him heavily this year, especially given the strain on the bullpen.
Adding another layer to the concern is Luzardo’s injury history. In June 2024, he was sidelined for the remainder of the season with a lumbar stress fracture, and back in 2022, he missed over two months due to a left forearm strain. These previous injuries highlight the importance of managing his workload wisely. Despite the necessity of balancing team needs with individual performance, the Phillies must be cautious with how much they ask from Luzardo if they hope to have him healthy and effective during the postseason.
While this singular blow-up start may skew Luzardo’s numbers for the remainder of the season, it doesn’t entirely diminish what he has already accomplished. Up until that twelfth start, he had been among the league’s elite pitchers, and there is every chance he could return to form. Still, from a statistical standpoint, the damage from this one outing will linger, marring what had the makings of a Cy Young-caliber campaign.
Looking at the bigger picture, the Phillies still have a formidable rotation. Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez remain top-tier performers and could very well be in the mix for postseason awards. But the team had been hoping that Luzardo would anchor the staff and emerge as a true ace. Despite the setback, if managed carefully and if his health holds, Luzardo can still be a vital component in Philadelphia’s rotation as they aim for October glory.
Ultimately, Saturday’s performance was a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in baseball. One game, even one inning, can shift narratives and alter trajectories. For Luzardo, the goal now is recovery and consistency. The Phillies, meanwhile, will look to support him while managing the long season ahead, balancing immediate needs with the long-term goal of a deep postseason run.
In conclusion, while one bad outing can heavily impact a pitcher’s statistics and narrative, it doesn’t erase the talent, effort, and value they’ve brought to the team. Luzardo’s season may no longer be perfect on paper, but his ability to bounce back and help the Phillies succeed will ultimately define his legacy for the year.
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