Phillies' Luzardo Primed for Cy Young Run in 2027

Jesus Luzardo of the Philadelphia Phillies is emerging as a strong candidate for the National League Cy Young award in 2027. After a contract extension, Luzardo experienced a challenging beginning to his 2026 season, with a 9.00 ERA in his first start and a 4.76 ERA in April. However, his performance dramatically improved in the latter half of the season. August was a standout month, where he recorded a 1.31 ERA over 34.1 innings. A shoulder injury unfortunately cut his regular season short, but he concluded 2026 with an impressive 14-5 record, a 2.86 ERA, and 221 strikeouts. Luzardo also delivered a crucial performance in the postseason against the Atlanta Braves, providing vital innings despite not being fully prepared after his injury. As the team heads into 2027, his sustained excellence from the second half of 2026 positions him as a significant contender for the league's top pitching honor.