Luzardo Shines in Phillies' NLDS Game 2

Jesús Luzardo, who finished the 2025 regular season 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA and 216 strikeouts, was brilliant in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, throwing six strong innings and retiring 17 straight batters after a 24-pitch first, allowing one hit and one walk with five strikeouts while mixing five pitches effectively with catcher J.T. Realmuto. Manager Rob Thomson had tabbed Luzardo to start Game 2 opposite Blake Snell, and the Dodgers are scheduled to use Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 3. The Phillies plan to start Aaron Nola in their next road game in Los Angeles, with Ranger Suárez — who has been sidelined since Sept. 27 with a thigh issue — available out of the bullpen if needed. Luzardo’s dominant outing provides a needed postseason lift given his 0-2 mark and 6.14 ERA in four prior postseason starts as Philadelphia tries to avoid elimination and shift momentum before the series heads to L.A.