The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a hot start this season, boasting a 7-2 record through their first nine games as they prepared to face the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.

Over the weekend, they claimed two out of three games against the previously undefeated Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park, with the series showcasing a playoff-like intensity.

Philadelphia’s offense has been productive, putting up 45 runs, while the starting pitchers have been stellar, allowing only 17 earned runs over 53⅓ innings.

This season might be the last ride for the current Phillies core, as both designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and catcher J.T. Realmuto are set to become free agents. Although the team has made the playoffs three years in a row, they’ve shown a worrying trend—progressing from a World Series berth to an NLCS exit, and then a quicker NLDS elimination last year.

The Phillies are determined to break that pattern and win their first title since 2008. According to one MLB insider, a key pitcher could be the X-factor in making that happen.

MLB insider: This pitcher can help Philadelphia Phillies make a run in October

The Philadelphia Phillies had a relatively quiet free agency period, adding outfielder Max Kepler and reliever Jordan Romano on one-year deals. However, their most impactful move came via a surprise trade with the Miami Marlins, acquiring left-handed starter Jesús Luzardo in exchange for prospect Starlyn Caba.

Luzardo adds high-end stuff to the Phillies’ rotation, featuring a 98 mph fastball and a newly introduced sweeper. The major concern surrounding him has been his ability to stay healthy—he was limited to only 12 starts in 2024 due to left elbow tightness and a lumbar stress reaction that sidelined him in June.

“What makes the Phillies particularly interesting is that if Luzardo can stay healthy and pitch to his potential, a rotation that was already strong becomes even more formidable — giving them a serious edge come October,” said The Athletic’s MLB insider Ken Rosenthal on the “Foul Territory” podcast.

“With Luzardo joining Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez, and possibly Ranger Suárez, this rotation has the depth to make a deep postseason run — assuming they stay healthy,” Rosenthal added.

So far in 2025, Luzardo has been dominant, striking out 19 over 12 innings while allowing only two earned runs. His underlying numbers are just as impressive, with a 267 ERA+ and a 1.98 FIP.

In addition to the pitching upgrade, the Phillies have also become more disciplined offensively. After ranking 25th in chase rate last season at 30.4%, they now lead the league with the lowest rate at 24.2%. While it’s still early in the season, this shift in approach could have a meaningful impact.

“They’re showing more offensive discipline and making smarter decisions at the plate,” Rosenthal noted. “I wouldn’t say they’re under the radar, but they’re definitely one of the teams to watch. A World Series appearance wouldn’t surprise me at all.”