Jesus Luzardo and the start of something special

Jesus Luzardo was expected to be a special pitcher for the Oakland A’s. His first start on Tuesday just set the stage.

Tuesday night was the night that Oakland A’s fans had dreamed of. Jesus Luzardo, one of the top prospects in all of baseball, was finally going to make his first major league start. It was a cause for celebration, and hopefully, the start of something special.

There was plenty of reason to expect that to be the case. Luzardo had been dominant out of the bullpen to that point in his career, allowing just five runs on 11 hits and six walks, striking out 23 batters over his 18.2 innings. The only question was whether or not that success would translate to the rotation.

On Tuesday, those questions were, at least in part, answered. He threw 76 pitches over his five innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out five. The Rangers were a perfect first opponent, a team that ranks towards the bottom in most offensive categories while striking out at a high rate, but Luzardo still had to execute.

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He did just that. Working his three pitch arsenal to perfection, Luzardo kept the Rangers off balance throughout the game. He showed a poise and confidence that belied his 22 years, as he not only held the Rangers in check, but showed the confidence that he expected to do exactly that.

As far as first starts go, it was a rousing success. Luzardo showed all the potential that the A’s, and the fanbase, had hoped for. It gave the A’s something to dream on, that Luzardo could be the dominant ace that the franchise has been looking for. Luzardo’s time has, at long last, arrived.

But this was just the beginning. There is a long road ahead for Luzardo in the majors, one that will have plenty of ups and downs. But that does not mean that we cannot dream of what lies ahead. If Tuesday night was any indication, then what is to come will be special.

Jesus Luzardo has been expected to become the next ace of the Oakland A’s. On Tuesday, he took that first step, as he appears destined to be something special.