DENVER -- When the Phillies traded for Jesús Luzardo in December, it wasn't simply to add a depth piece to the rotation.
It was because president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski believed Luzardo -- combined with the incumbent members of 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 at the time. “It gives you the odds to win. We just felt that by acquiring Luzardo, it gives us that capability.”
Through 10 starts, Luzardo has done exactly that.
The left-hander struck out 10 over six innings of one-run ball in Tuesday night's 7-4 win over the Rockies at Coors Field. He improved to 5-0 with a 1.95 ERA.
“I definitely thought this was possible, but I know it might come as a surprise to a lot of people,” Luzardo said when asked if he could have envisioned this type of start with the Phillies. “It's been a struggle at times in my career, but I think a little change of scenery at times is great.”
Not only has Luzardo given the Phillies a chance to win every time he takes the mound, he's put together 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).
If that’s not enough, 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 Randy Johnson in 1995.
Luzardo has done all of this while acclimating to a new team. Over the past 35 years, only five other pitchers have gone unbeaten with a sub-2.00 ERA in their first 10 games (all starts, not including openers) after joining a new club:
- Max Fried (2025 Yankees)
- Max Scherzer (2021 Dodgers)
- CC Sabathia (2008 Brewers)
- Pedro Martinez (1998 Red Sox)
- Roger Clemens (1997 Blue Jays)
Not bad company.
“It's just the way he kind of goes out there, his demeanor -- everything,” said Bryce Harper, whose three-hit night marked his fifth multihit game in the past week. “It just kind of matches the flow of our team. He's just been really, really good.”
Luzardo capped off his latest gem in style, retiring the final seven batters he faced. Though he allowed only two hits, he was sitting at 82 pitches through just four innings thanks to three walks and some deep counts.
When he returned to the dugout after the fifth, his pitch count had climbed to 94. Luzardo told pitching coach Caleb Cotham he wanted one more inning.
“He told Caleb, 'I want to keep going because I want to save the bullpen,’” manager Rob Thomson said.
And that’s exactly what Luzardo did. He breezed through the sixth on just 11 pitches, letting out a yell and pounding his glove as he walked off following a season-high-tying 105 pitches.
"He's a grinder, man. He's a gamer,” Thomson said. “I love him. He's not going to give in. He's going to fight."
The Phillies staked Luzardo to a three-run lead before he threw his first pitch. They piled on throughout the night, collecting 17 hits for a second consecutive game. It’s the first time Philadelphia has had at least 17 hits in back-to-back games since 2007 – and just the fifth time in the past 90 years.
Along with Harper, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh also had three-hit nights. Trea Turner, Max Kepler and Alec Bohm added two apiece. Kyle Schwarber hit home run No. 301 just one night after joining the 300 club.
The Rockies’ hitters, meanwhile, had no such success against Luzardo.
“He's a really good pitcher,” said Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer. “I mean, that's good stuff -- throws 97 [mph] from the left side, wipeout sweeper. He's a good pitcher.”
Harper knows that as well as anyone.
The two-time NL MVP was 1-for-12 (.083) with seven strikeouts against Luzardo before the two became teammates. Harper’s only hit was a bunt single against the shift.
“I've said it a million times,” Harper said, “I'm glad he's on our team.”
So, too, are the Phillies. After all, Luzardo is doing exactly what Dombrowski and Co. envisioned when they struck that deal five months ago.
"Just give us a chance to win, which is all that really matters,” Luzardo said of his mindset. “It feels good, so I hope to keep it going."