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Jesús Luzardo Discusses Playing 'Real Baseball' With Phillies

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Ostrowski | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 2:15 PM ET

As with most arms in the Philadelphia Phillies' rotation, Jesús Luzardo is having a mostly successful 2025 campaign.

Since being acquired from the Miami Marlins for two prospects, Luzardo has struck out 97 batters in 83.2 innings. He had carried a 2.15 ERA through May 25th before two starts of his went sideways fast.

Aside from those hiccups, he's been a valuable addition to the club - and Luzardo isn't taking the change for granted.

"I didn't know what to expect coming into a team with such high expectations," Luzardo said during an interview on The Phillies Show. "It's blown me away how welcoming everyone is. How the guys who are 'Superstars' are just really down to earth guys... It's been awesome to be a part of it."

Originally from Peru, Luzardo went to high school between Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, just north of Miami. So while the trade took him much farther from home - albeit with the benefit of traveling back twice a year in divisional series - he's embraced the new culture in Philly.

"Playing in Miami - it was home for me, so that was great," Luzardo said. "But at the same time, when you're not pitching in front of 40,000 (fans) like you are here every night... That's something you don't really see all the time and it's some of the most fun I've had playing baseball since I was in high school."

"This is real baseball. Not a knock on anywhere else that I've been, but you could feel the atmosphere, the home field advantage, the buzz around the city. Going into a game, you just see the streets flooded with Phillies gear. The stadium's packed with everyone walking in. It's a good time."

Jesus Luzardo says his move to Philly has been everything he hoped for and more.

“It’s some of the most fun I’ve had playing baseball… this is, you know, real baseball.” pic.twitter.com/eA0GiUVuSN
— ThePhilliesShow (@ThePhilliesShow) June 19, 2025

With the season approaching its halfway point, Luzardo is tasked with helping a suddenly short-staffed group of starters maintain a playoff position. And unlike in 2023, when the Marlins had shut him down for Tommy John surgery by the time they made it to the Wild Card, he looks to stay healthy and contribute into the Phils' latest October push.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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