Wednesday afternoon’s 7–2 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park secured a much-needed series win for the Phillies—and may well serve as the spark they need to get their season back on track as the All-Star break approaches. Simply put, it was a win the team—and its fans—desperately needed.
In addition to marking the club’s first series win in 13 days, Wednesday’s game was defined—most importantly—by a dominant outing from starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo. Fans may recall that Luzardo’s previous two starts were far from ideal: over just 5.2 innings, the 27-year-old left-hander surrendered 21 hits, 20 earned runs, and five walks, resulting in a staggering 31.76 ERA. But despite those struggles—and facing a potent Cubs offense that ranks second in the league in runs scored, trailing only the Los Angeles Dodgers—Luzardo reminded everyone why his early-season success wasn’t a fluke.
He tossed six innings of one-run ball, allowing just five hits, walking none, and striking out 10 on 99 pitches. Now 6–2 on the year, Luzardo’s 93 strikeouts are tied for ninth in the majors.
After the game, Luzardo spoke candidly about his mindset and the significance of this bounce back performance. “I don’t think anyone else on the planet wanted it more than I did,” he said.
Reflecting on his recent struggles, he acknowledged, “Obviously the last two (starts) have been extremely frustrating and just a bad stretch.”
However, Wednesday’s performance seemed to help provide a renewed sense of confidence. “Just getting back on track is huge and a sense of relief of understanding that the stuff is still there,” he added. “I feel great physically … and the adjustments that we made obviously worked, so we’re happy about that.”
“He really executed today,” said manager Rob Thomson, offering praise for his starter. “Pounded the strike zone, changeup [and] slider were both really good, lots of weak contact, a lot of swing-and-miss. He was fantastic.”
In addition to Luzardo getting back on track, the Phillies’ offense came alive, collecting 10 hits and pushing across seven runs. Trea Turner recorded two hits, raising his season average to .303, while Alec Bohm also chipped in with a pair of hits, including a solo home run in the seventh. Kyle Schwarber launched a 431-foot blast—his 21st of the season, currently fourth-most in the league.
Between Luzardo’s dominant outing and the Phillies’ resurgent offense, it was a much-needed turnaround for the Fightin’ Phils—a performance that likely had many fans breathing a collective sigh of relief.
The Phillies remain five games behind the first-place New York Mets in the NL East. With Wednesday’s win—their fifth in a row—the Mets now own the best record in baseball at 44–24. Superstar Juan Soto, after a sluggish start to the season, has started to resemble his dominant self at the plate once again.
The Phillies will host the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park this weekend for a three-game series, beginning Friday night. Ranger Suárez (4–1) is slated to take the mound for Philadelphia in the opener.
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