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Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo (44) walks to the dugout at the end of the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Phillies' Jesus Luzardo joins historic company with rare MLB feat

By Jalyn Smoot | Last updated May 21, 2025 5:36 PM ET

Since arriving in Philadelphia, Jesús Luzardo has been everything the Phillies envisioned when they acquired him in a rare in-division trade with the Miami Marlins.

Despite his past injury woes, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski believed Luzardo, alongside an All-Star cohort in the Phillies' starting rotation, would keep the team in every game.

“I've always felt that the best way to win is to try to throw a quality starting pitcher out there every single day if you can,” Dombrowski said. “It gives you the odds to win. We just felt that by acquiring Luzardo, it gives us that capability.”

Through 10 starts, the 27-year-old southpaw has delivered on that promise. The Phillies' newcomer boasts a flawless 5-0 record and has compiled 67 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched, proving himself a worthwhile investment for Philly.

Not only has Luzardo positioned the Phillies to win every time he takes the hill, but he's also assembled one of the best 10-start runs in franchise history. He's just the third Phillies pitcher to go unbeaten with a sub-2.00 ERA through his first 10 outings (all starts) of a season, joining Ranger Suárez (2024) and Hall of Famer Grover Alexander (1913).

Impressively, since ERA became an official stat in both leagues in 1913, he’s just the second southpaw to go undefeated with a sub-2.00 ERA and at least 10 K’s per nine innings through his first 10 starts of a season, according to OptaSTATS. The other was Hall of Fame lefty Randy Johnson in 1995.

Since ERA became official in both leagues in 1913, two MLB lefties have gone undefeated with a sub-2.00 ERA and 10.00+ K/9 over their first 10 starts of a season.

One is the @Phillies' Jesús Luzardo this year.

The other was Randy Johnson in 1995. pic.twitter.com/Bg0fxKZ9s8
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 21, 2025

En route to joining the Diamondbacks legend Johnson in the history books, Luzardo silenced the Rockies offense at Coors Field, striking out 10 through six innings of one-run ball.

Jesús Luzardo, 96mph Paint. ️ pic.twitter.com/PoHJpg3T1d
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 21, 2025

While the success of the oft-injured southpaw is a shock to some, Luzardo isn't surprised by the historic start to his Phillies tenure.

“I definitely thought it was possible, but I know that it might come as a surprise to a lot of people,” Luzardo said after his impressive outing at Coors Field to help the Phillies improve to a National League-best 30-18."

“It’s been a struggle at times in my career but I think a little change of scenery at times is great. Just a breath of fresh air being around a good group of guys here. Nothing against the places I’ve been, it’s just a little different here.”

When the Phillies acquired him, they knew they were getting a southpaw starter with a penchant for fanning batters in droves.

Amazingly, the 6-foot hurler has developed into an innings-eater in Philly, too.

Luzardo threw 105 pitches on Tuesday, exceeding 100 for the fourth time in his last five starts. The most he’s ever done in a season is five times.

“He saved some of our bullpen because there’s quite a few guys who, if we had to use them, they wouldn’t be available tomorrow,” manager Rob Thomson said. “He's a grinder. He's a gamer. I love him. He’s not gonna give in. He’s gonna fight."

“We pushed him tonight. It’s not something I like to do because he’s coming back on regular rest for Sunday but just to save the bullpen, he did a great job.”

After spending his early career with the scuffling Marlins, Luzardo is thriving with the NL East-leading Phillies.

Luzardo has already expressed how refreshing the change of scenery was for his career, but his former MVP teammate Bryce Harper is grateful to have him in Philly (and not on the mound as the opposing pitcher), too.

“I’ve said it a million times, I’m glad he’s on our team," Harper said. "I faced him multiple times when he was in Miami and it was always a tough game for us."

"The way he goes out there, his demeanor, it matches the flow of our team. He's been really, really good."

Following his terrific start to the season, Luzardo is on track for an All-Star debut season in Philly and could even creep into the Cy Young Award conversation soon.

Jalyn Smoot

Jalyn Smoot is a University of North Texas graduate passionate about writing, sports, and film. Throughout his near decade-long career as a freelance reporter, he has been featured on Bleacher Report, Major League Baseball, Apple News, Fox Sports, and NewsBreak.

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