Phillies’ Standout Pitcher Appears to Have Fixed Suspected Pitch Tipping Troubles
One of the Philadelphia Phillies’ standout pitchers has seemingly rediscovered his dominant form, potentially resolving an issue that may have been caused by inadvertently revealing his pitch selection.
Jesús Luzardo, a key offseason trade acquisition from the Miami Marlins, had a spectacular start to his 2025 campaign in Philadelphia. Over his first 11 outings, Luzardo looked like a game-changer, quickly asserting himself as not only a front-runner for a spot in the All-Star Game but also a legitimate candidate for the National League Cy Young Award.
During those 11 starts, Luzardo posted exceptional numbers—logging 67 innings, tallying 77 strikeouts, and maintaining an outstanding 2.15 ERA with a 2.22 FIP. He owned a 5-1 record and, along with Zack Wheeler, formed one of the most effective one-two punches atop any rotation in the league.
But things took a dramatic and unexpected turn in his 12th start of the season.
Against the Milwaukee Brewers, Luzardo had the worst performance of his year. He was charged with 12 earned runs in just 3.1 innings, giving up 12 hits, including two home runs, while also walking three batters. While even the best pitchers can have off days, this sudden collapse was jarring for fans and analysts alike.
Unfortunately, the struggles didn’t end there. In his next outing versus the Toronto Blue Jays, Luzardo was shelled again. He surrendered eight earned runs over just 2.1 innings, allowing nine hits—one of which was a homer—and walking two. The back-to-back disastrous performances left many wondering what had gone so wrong so quickly.
Despite these poor showings, Luzardo’s underlying metrics hadn’t shown much to suggest a downturn was imminent. That led some to dig deeper and uncover a possible explanation: pitch tipping.
According to analysis shared by The WARmonger on X (formerly Twitter), Luzardo might have been unknowingly giving away clues to base runners on second. Before the two poor outings, his numbers with runners on second were elite. Opponents were hitting just .143 against him in those situations, with an expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) of .228 and a strong 34% whiff rate.
But during the two blowups against the Brewers and Blue Jays, those same scenarios turned nightmarish. Opposing hitters went 9-for-10 with a staggering .734 xwOBA. Luzardo’s whiff rate plunged to just 12.5%.
A video surfaced highlighting what could have been the issue: Luzardo’s glove placement. When he was hit hardest, his glove hand appeared to be lower and more open, possibly revealing the type of pitch grip he was using. With a runner on second, this allowed an easy opportunity for the runner to relay the pitch type to the batter.
Recognizing the issue, it appears Luzardo and the Phillies made a concerted effort to fix the problem before his next start.
Facing the Chicago Cubs—who boast one of MLB’s top offenses—Luzardo returned to dominant form. He looked far more composed and careful about concealing the ball in his glove, possibly using a larger glove or adjusting his mechanics to better hide the grip from view. Whatever the adjustment was, it clearly worked.
Luzardo went six strong innings against the Cubs, giving up just one earned run. He struck out 10 batters, issued no walks, and allowed only five hits. This dominant return echoed the version of Luzardo fans saw through his first 11 starts of the year.
If pitch tipping was indeed at the heart of his struggles, and if he’s now resolved the issue, the Phillies may have their ace-caliber pitcher back. That bodes well for their chances down the stretch as they pursue a deep playoff run.
Ultimately, Luzardo’s ability to rebound and make swift mechanical adjustments is a testament to both his talent and baseball IQ. While time will tell if his performance remains consistent, the early signs suggest he’s once again ready to be one of the most formidable pitchers in the National League.
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