In what was a perfect outing the other day, Jesus Luzardo has been placed on the IL due to shoulder stiffness.

Well, who could have sounded the alarm? Don Mattingly? He is an interim manager.

Was it smart the Phillies had Luzardo pitch eight strong innings? Luzardo looked vigorously into the camera and said he was going to commit to solid starts all the way toward the postseason.

He did not get his wish.

Luzardo could return before the playoffs but what does that mean for a team in desperate need of pitching. Luzardo has become a solid higher-up decision for the Phillies.

He has leveled the playing field for Aaron Nola and those odds do not stack up quite well with the Phillies current bullpen situation.

The offense gives hope and reason. Bryan De La Cruz scored in a momentous run on one of the last Sports Kingdom podcasts for Kyle Schwarber to seal his first walk off homer in many ages.

Harper continues to swing like it is his last at-bat. A plethora of defensive contributions have come Bryson Stott’s way at third.

The Phillies currently sit four games back from the Atlanta Braves. Their record hit the equivalent of its 2022 World Series team recently.

Much is to be concerned and answered, henceforth.