Phillies announce starting pitcher for first game of National League Wild Card Series, Luzardo will be the starting pitcher

Luzado. (File photo, Reuters)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] The National League Wild Card Series will officially kick off at 2 a.m. on the 30th, Taiwan time. The Philadelphia Phillies also announced that the starting pitcher for the first game will be left to star left-hander Jesús Luzardo, who has recovered from a late-season shoulder injury.

Luzardo was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to left shoulder inflammation in mid-September and did not return until the 28th. In the game against the Rays, he completed one inning of relief with only 4 balls and no runs. This year, he accumulated 30 games in the regular season and sent out 221 strikeouts in 179.2 innings. He has a record of 14 wins and 5 losses, an ERA of 2.86, and an independent ERA (FIP) of 2.78.

Please read on...

In addition, Luzado also has a record of 6 games in the playoffs in his career, 4 of which were starts, with 24K in 22.1 innings, ERA4.84, and FIP4.04.

Although he was assigned to start the game, Phillies acting head coach Don Mattingly said that since Luzardo has not started for more than three weeks, he will not be allowed to pitch too many innings, and his positioning will be more inclined to be an "opener". In addition, the bullpen will also arrange for former big man Andrew Painter to prepare to take over.

In addition to the starter selection for the first game, the G2 Phillies will send ace Cristopher Sánchez to take charge, and veteran right-hander Aaron Nola is a possible starting choice until Game 3; while the opponent Atlanta Braves will send Cy Young ace left-hander Chris Sale to face the game in Game 1.