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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Sports

Jesús Luzardo takes the mound in Miami with a mission: halt the Phillies' slide

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Philadelphia Phillies have lost seven of their last 10 games since the All-Star break, falling behind in the division race.
  • Pitcher Jesús Luzardo will start against his former team, the Miami Marlins, aiming to prevent a sweep and capitalize on the Marlins' struggles against left-handed pitchers.
  • Luzardo is having a career-best season with a 3.31 ERA and is on pace to match or exceed his personal best in wins and strikeouts.

The Philadelphia Phillies are struggling to regain momentum after the All-Star break, having lost seven of their last 10 games and slipping in the division standings. Venezuelan pitcher Jesús Luzardo acknowledged the team's difficult start to the second half, stating, "I think the 2-5 record is not how we wanted to start the second half. We all know that."

I think the 2-5 record is not how we wanted to start the second half. We all know that.

— Jesús LuzardoThe Venezuelan pitcher acknowledged his team's struggles since the All-Star break.

Luzardo is set to pitch at loanDepot Park, his former home for three and a half seasons, with a clear mission: to prevent the Miami Marlins from sweeping the series. Baseball analysts believe he is well-positioned to succeed, noting that many of the Marlins' top hitters are left-handed batters who struggle against left-handed pitching. "Miami will have to rely more on contact hitting, as those three players are their best power hitters," analyst Sean Paul observed.

Paul further praised Luzardo's current performance, calling it his "breakout year." The pitcher boasts a 3.31 ERA, a 2.92 xERA, and a 2.85 FIP. He is also pursuing personal milestones, including his 10th win of the season, which would mark his second consecutive season with at least double-digit victories. With a 1.08 ERA in July and no more than two earned runs allowed in seven consecutive starts, Luzardo's 3.31 overall ERA is the lowest of his career and places him among the National League's pitching leaders.

Miami will have to rely more on contact hitting, as those three players are their best power hitters.

— Sean PaulAn analyst commented on the Marlins' offensive challenges against left-handed pitchers like Luzardo.

Luzardo's advanced metrics are also impressive. He ranks sixth among National League pitchers with a 3.8 WAR. He is seventh in innings pitched (122.1) and is on track to move into third place for starts with 21. His 152 strikeouts are the sixth-highest in MLB and third in the National League, putting him on pace for his third season with at least 200 strikeouts.

I think Luzardo is one of the best pitchers in the National League and that he will know how to dominate this Marlins lineup, which is going through a bad time.

— Sean PaulThe analyst expressed confidence in Luzardo's ability to perform against the struggling Marlins.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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