All week, the talk was about whether the Dodgers might just go 162-0. After an 8-0 start coming off a World Series title, LA rolled into Philly riding high. But the Phillies were having none of it. Behind an absolutely filthy outing from Jesús Luzardo in his home debut, the Phils punched back—taking Game 1 of this heavyweight showdown with a 3-2 win at Citizens Bank Park.
Luzardo Shoves in Second Start
This is what the Phillies brought Jesús Luzardo in to do. He went toe-to-toe with one of the best lineups in baseball and dominated—seven shutout innings, two hits, eight strikeouts, and complete control all night. His changeup was dancing, the fastball had late life, and he worked through LA’s order like a guy who’s been doing this in October for years.
If you were looking for Luzardo’s “welcome to Philly” moment, this was it. Cold-blooded. Big-time.
Yea, we think Luzardo's gonna like it here pic.twitter.com/82B1pIZ7Ue
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 5, 2025
Final Line:
7 IP | 2 H | 0 ER | 2 BB | 8 K
Offense Does Just Enough
The Phils didn’t exactly light it up against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but they made the most of what they got. Trea Turner came around to score in the first after Yamamoto rushed a pickoff and airmailed it into center. In the seventh, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh came through with RBI knocks to stretch the lead to 3-0. Just enough breathing room for the bullpen.
Late Drama, But Realmuto and Co. Hold Firm
The Dodgers made it interesting late. Tommy Edman’s two-run homer off RHP Jordan Romano in the ninth cut the Phillies’ lead to one, and all of a sudden, Citizens Bank got tense. After Max Muncy struck out swinging, Chris Taylor (pinch runner for Will Smith) tried to make something happen and took off for second. J.T. Realmuto came up firing and threw a dart right on the bag.
Taylor was called safe, but the Phillies challenged the tag—and it didn’t take long. Replay showed Trea Turner got him clean. Call overturned. Ballgame over.
Just another clutch moment from Realmuto, who was nails all night behind the dish. Game-saving stuff.
Do they not know? Have they not heard? pic.twitter.com/Wrmy7XhDV7
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 5, 2025
Phils Make a Statement
So much for 162-0. The Phillies just handed the Dodgers their first “L” of the year and reminded everyone that they’re not just contenders—they’re legit threats to anyone, anywhere.
They’ve won six of their first seven. They’ve got swagger. And they’ve got Luzardo looking like an ace.
Game 2? Let’s run it back.
Looking Ahead
Austin Nola gets the nod in Game 2 as the Phillies look to keep the momentum rolling. He’ll go up against the highly sought-after rookie Roki Sasaki, making his third big league start for L.A. Sunday’s series finale will feature Cristopher Sánchez squaring off with Tyler Glasnow in what could be another tight, playoff-caliber matchup.
