Jun 22, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo (44) enters the field before the game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA - Now in his seventh season, Jesus Luzardo did something for the first time on Sunday - pitched in nationally televised, regular season baseball game.
After toiling in obscurity in the majors with bother the Athletics (nee Oakland) and the Miami Marlins, with only one big game experience on his resume - as the starter for Game 1 of the 2023 Wild Card series for Miami against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park - this was something new.
But if the recent past could be used as prologue, Luzardo was up for it.
By the time his night was over, Luzardo had thrown 107 pitches - the most he has thrown in a game since firing 115 pitches for the Marlins against Colorado in July, 2023 - and had limited the New York Mets to just three hits across 6 2/3 scoreless innings.
Oh, and one more note - first place was on the line.
The Phillies beat the Mets 7-1 behind Luzardo's strong outing and a lineup loaded with right-handed hitters who delivered, to win the weekend series over their hated rival and regain sole possession of first place.
It continued a superb run for the Phillies, who, since they were last .500 on April 25 (13-13) have the best record in the majors (34-18).
Luzardo has been a big part of that - two starts against Milwaukee and Toronto aside - but what has been especially impressive about Luzardo is how he has pitched against teams who are potential National League playoff opponents for the Phillies.
In four starts this season against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and the Mets, Luzardo has thrown 25 2/3 innings and allowed 13 hits and one earned run (0.35 ERA). He is 4-0 in those games and has struck out 30.
Jesús Luzardo to @AntSanPhilly: “I’d be lying if I said starts like tonight you don’t bring a little extra knowing what’s on the line.” pic.twitter.com/yFY0ecn9ve
"Ideally you'd like to have the same juice for every start," Luzardo said. "But I'd be lying if I said that in starts like tonight you don't bring a little extra knowing what's on the line."
There was no matchup more telling than the battles Luzardo had with Mets superstar Juan Soto.
Coming off a game where he had four hits and two home runs against the Phillies, Luzardo ripped a hard fly out to right field in his first at bat against Luzardo.
In his next plate appearance, he started with his histrionics. First he feigned a bunt attempt. Then, after a pitch from Luzardo came a little up and in on Soto, requiring him to bend out of the way, Soto did a melodramatic bend and dodge of two more balls that were in, but not nearly as in as he wanted everyone to believe.
IT set up the third meeting between the two in the sixth inning when Luzardo exacted revenge, striking out Soto with a surprise fastball.
Juan Soto could only smile and shake his head after this Jesus Luzardo strikeout pic.twitter.com/jo6dzLQgxW
"It's just two competitors going at it," Luzardo said. "I've known Soto for a long time."
Both were in rookie ball together in the minor leagues with the Washington Nationals before Luzardo was traded to the A's. Luzardo said the two are close friends to this day.
"But when we're playing, we just compete against each other and he does a great job of playing the mental side with the looks and the dancing and all that," Luzardo said. "So, you do your best to kept that out of it and make your pitch. I hadn't really done much of that to him in the past, so it was obviously good for me in that at bat and funny to see that reaction from him."
Luzardo is an emotional pitcher. It cost him in that start against the Brewers where he allowed just 12 earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. His frustration with the umpire, being called for a balk and his own throwing error opened the flood gates.
So, he has to find a way to rein it in.
But when he does - as he's done in 13 of his 16 starts this season where he's allowed three runs or fewer - he's lethal.
What role he ends up playing for the Phillies once summer ends, remains to be seen. He's been good enough to be the No. 2 starter in the playoff rotation but could just as easily play as a high leverage lefty reliver out of the bullpen.
But the one thing that is becoming certain is, Luzardo thrives on the big stage. And come October, they don't get much bigger than in Philadelphia
