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Marlins’ Jesus Luzardo Aims to Keep Scoreless Streak Alive Against Padres
Miami Marlins’ lefty Jesus Luzardo is riding high on an impressive scoreless streak as he gears up to face the San Diego Padres. This article delves into Luzardo’s recent stellar performances, his pitching tactics, and what the Padres have planned in response. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting matchup.
Luzardo’s Recent Performance
Jesus Luzardo (2-3, 4.14 ERA) has been on fire lately, pitching 14 consecutive scoreless innings in his last two starts. This marks a significant turnaround from his rocky start earlier in the season.
Dominance at Home:
- On May 17, Luzardo dazzled against the New York Mets, giving up just five hits over six innings in an 8-0 shutout.
- He followed up with an even more impressive performance, pitching eight scoreless innings and allowing only three hits in a 1-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Turnaround in Form
April was tough for Luzardo, with a rough 7.29 ERA. But he’s turned things around dramatically. Brewers manager Pat Murphy couldn’t help but praise Luzardo’s improved control and his diverse pitching arsenal, which includes a fastball, changeup, and breaking ball.
Pitching Mechanics and Strategy
Murphy highlighted Luzardo’s mid-90s fastball, which he typically places high in the strike zone, causing a lot of popups. Alongside his changeup and breaking ball, this combination keeps hitters guessing. Over his last three starts, Luzardo has struck out 19 batters while issuing just one walk.
Luzardo’s Perspective
Luzardo is focused on pitching deeper into games to give his team a fighting chance and ease the load on the bullpen. For him, it’s more about endurance and effectiveness rather than just piling up strikeouts.
Career Stats Against the Padres
Historically, Luzardo has had mixed results against the Padres, holding a 1-3 record and a 4.50 ERA in four career starts.
Marlins’ Series Performance
After a narrow 2-1 loss in the series opener on Monday, the Marlins are eager to bounce back and continue their streak of five consecutive series wins.
San Diego’s Pitching Plan
The Padres are set to counter with right-hander Matt Waldron (2-5, 4.86 ERA), who stands out as the only current major league pitcher with a knuckleball in his repertoire. Waldron has strung together three solid starts recently, showing off his potential.
Waldron’s Recent Outings:
- Waldron has impressed against heavyweights like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves.
- In his latest outing, he held the Cincinnati Reds to two runs on six hits over five innings, leading to a 6-4 victory.
Padres’ Bullpen Confidence
The Padres’ bullpen has been a fortress, with standout performances from Jeremiah Estrada and Robert Suarez. Estrada has struck out his last 10 batters, setting a team record, while Suarez has been perfect in save opportunities, going 16 for 16.
Manager’s Insights
Padres manager Mike Shildt is brimming with confidence in his bullpen, especially praising Estrada and Morejon for their high-leverage contributions.
Conclusion
As Jesus Luzardo takes the mound against the Padres, all eyes will be on whether he can keep his scoreless streak going. With both teams boasting strong pitching performances, this matchup promises to be a nail-biter for baseball fans.
