Phillies’ Jesus Luzardo Makes Unfortunate MLB History

This statistic shows just how poorly Luzardo has pitched as of late. In just two starts, Luzardo has given up 20 earned runs. His numbers across the two starts are staggeringly terrible. He allowed 21 hits, five walks, and 20 earned runs across 5.2 innings. In just those two starts, Luzardo's ERA is 34.62.

Not only did those two terrible starts set unfortunate MLB history, but it also cemented two losses for the Phillies. But another major implication from those two atrocious outings is that Luzardo is firmly out of the Cy Young race now. 

Through the first 11 starts of the year, Luzardo was incredible. He had a 2.15 ERA, a 5-0 record, 77 strikeouts, and just 16 earned runs allowed. Since then, He's more than doubled his ERA and his earned run totals on the year.

Following his disastrous starts against the Blue Jays and Brewers, Luzardo has an ERA of 4.46. It had climbed from 2.15 to 3.58 after his 12 earned run outing, and it ballooned even higher following his terrible outing against the Blue Jays.

After the first two months of the season, the Phillies' pitching staff looked like the best in baseball. But, with Luzardo's back-to-back outings culminating in an MLB-worst 20 earned runs over less than six innings, the Phillies have some questions that need to be answered.