Is Jesús Luzardo the new Miami Marlins ace?

The Miami Marlins defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in a thriller last night. The Fish stand at 51-37, in the team's best start since the 1997 season. This is despite the 2022 NL Cy Young winner starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara's struggles this season. Part of the reason for this great start is none other then starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo. Is he the team's new ace? Let's take a look...

The Miami Marlins may have a new ace in Jesús Luzardo

Starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo is having a great season, which makes him a bad snub for the All-Star Game. He was the winning pitcher in the 15-2 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals on Independence Day. He pitched six scoreless innings with 8 strikeouts in that memorable game. Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker had this to say:

"I think he's All-Star worthy, of course. I think there's a few guys in that room that should be at least talked about or on it. There's three or four, probably. I would love for someone to put them on. We'll see how that goes. What impressed me I think is the command of all his pitches, the adjustments."

Jesús Luzardo has not been scored on in 22 and 1/3 innings. In fact since 1961, only 26 other pitchers kept opposing teams scoreless in three straight starts, with eight or more strikeouts in each game. This is also the first time that such a streak has been accomplished by a Miami Marlins pitcher!

Luzardo also has a 96.8 mph four-seam fastball, which is the seventh highest among all Major League starting pitchers (minimum 300 four-seam fastballs thrown). He also has a 3.32 ERA/3.23 FIP, with 10.5 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9. He's worth 2.4 WAR. Jesús Luzardo said:

"I mean, it'd be cool if I was an All-Star, but I'm just happy we're winning. We're playing really good baseball. The pitchers are pitching how we're supposed to, hitters are doing what they're supposed to, the bullpen has been nails." Is he the new Miami Marlins ace? Just ask the next team that he shuts out!