Phillies' Jesus Luzardo Experience Can Only Mean One Thing
The Philadelphia Phillies' experience with Jesus Luzardo should have taught them a very valuable lesson.
Video Transcript
So over the winter, the Phillies signed Jess Luzardo to a five-year, one hundred and thirty-five million dollar contract extension after a twenty twenty-five campaign in which he had a three point nine two ERA and had two hundred and sixteen strikeouts and was a, a terrific year as the Phillies number three starter, and you know, down the stretch, number two when Zach Wheeler went down with TOS.
Now, Wheeler's back.
Christopher Sanchez is the number one, Wheeler's the two.
Luzardo is the three once again.
He's got a four flat ERA this year with a one point three WHIP.
Now, the FIP is down at three point one two, so i-it's an indication that Luzardo's getting a bit unlucky here, and his three forty-five batting average when balls in play is an indication of that as well.
But here's what I'll say about Luzardo.
He's been inconsistent throughout his career.
He's in-- he's been pretty erratic.
He's either he could be dominant or he could be, you know, frustratingly all over the place and, and getting hit, and this year he's allowed ninety hits in ninety-two innings.
So he, he's getting hit this year.
So for the Phillies, with Aaron Nola being-- looking like he's, he's just done, and Andrew Painter clearly not having been ready for the Major Leagues.
You know, they sent him down to Triple A after he posted a seven oh six ERA earlier on in the season.
They need to go out and get another starter, at least one.
I, I, I think that's very clear.
And, you know, for Luzardo, it's fine as a number three starter, but not having any depth behind him is a major concern, especially when we know how, how erratic Luzardo can be and how inconsistent he can be.
They've got to go out and get somebody.
Now, I'm not saying they have to go out and get three school.
That doesn't have to happen, but they've got to get, you know, at least one serviceable starter between now and the MLB trade deadline just to solidify the rotation and make Dom Manfredi feel more comfortable, you know, heading into the second half of the season here.
You know, they've been playing very, very well.
They're thirty-seven and eighteen since Manfredi took over as manager.
So I, I, you know, I'm not saying that, you know, they're, they're a disaster waiting to happen, but you know, there are some things about the Phillies that, you know, you look at them like, okay, the, the record in one-run games i-is incredibly good.
That, that will probably even out as the season goes along.
You know, they're, they're toward the bottom of the league in most offensive categories.
'Cause beyond Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Brandon Marsh, that offense is a major concern, and that back end of the rotation i-is, is really right now i-it's almost non-existent.
We don't know who's even really going to be, you know, guys they rely upon down the stretch.
So they've got to go out and get a couple of pitchers here, at least one, just, just to stabilize the starting rotation behind the top two and Luzardo to make the Phillies feel better about their chances of not only making the playoffs, but making a run in the playoffs as well.
