Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Will start Game 2 of World Series
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Kelly will start Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday against the Rangers, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Zac Gallen will get the nod for the Diamondbacks in Game 1 on Friday and Brandon Pfaadt is lined up to handle Game 3 on Monday. Kelly recorded a huge win against the Phillies in Game 6 of the NLCS, tallying eight strikeouts across five innings of one-run ball. He carries an overall 2.65 ERA with 19 strikeouts through 17 innings (three starts) this postseason.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Serves up four runs in loss
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Kelly took the loss in Tuesday's 10-0 defeat to the Phillies in Game 2 of the NLCS, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.
Kelly stumbled in this outing after coming off a clean start against the Dodgers in the NLDS. His biggest dilemma was limiting the long ball, as he gave up three separate solo home runs, two of which came off the bat of Kyle Schwarber in the third and sixth innings. The right-hander may have been a bit unlucky given he managed to mostly keep the traffic off the basepaths aside from the big mistakes. Kelly has pitched to a 3.00 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 11 strikeouts across 12 innings this postseason.
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Starting Game 2 of NLCS
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Kelly will start Game 2 of the NLCS on Tuesday against Philadelphia, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Kelly was dominant in his postseason debut against the Dodgers, throwing 6.1 scoreless frames while striking out five batters and walking two. He'll follow Game 1 starter Zac Gallen in the D-backs' rotation and look to contain a surging Phillies offense that posted a .938 OPS in the NLDS.
The Diamondbacks named Kelly as their starter for Game 1 of Arizona's NLDS matchup against the Dodgers on Saturday.
Kelly will be fully rested for Saturday after not having to pitch during the D-backs' two-game sweep of the Brewers. Kelly was dominant in his final three starts of the regular season, allowing just four runs over 18.2 innings. However, Kelly gave up seven runs in five innings during his last matchup against the Dodgers on Aug. 29.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Takes hard-luck loss
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Kelly (12-8) allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out five over seven innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Astros.
Kelly pitched well, but the RBI double he surrendered to Jose Abreu in the fourth inning was the lone run for either team. The Diamondbacks had chances with five hits and six walks but couldn't even the score. Kelly concludes the regular season with a 3.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 187:69 K:BB through 177.2 innings over 30 starts. He should be a part of Arizona's wild-card round rotation.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Tosses five frames in no-decision
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Kelly allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Monday.
Kelly got through three scoreless frames before Austin Wells tagged him for a two-run homer in the fourth. Those were the only runs Kelly surrendered, but he departed after five innings having thrown 96 pitches. The right-hander has tossed at least five frames in 28 straight starts after opening the campaign with a 3.2-inning outing against the Dodgers. Kelly is in line for one more start in the regular season, which is tentatively slated to come in Houston this weekend. It could be a huge game and series with both teams currently looking to get into the postseason.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Sharp in 12th win
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Kelly (12-7) picked up the win in Wednesday's 7-1 victory over the Giants, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out five.
A solo homer by LaMonte Wade in the first inning was the only blemish on Kelly's line as he delivered his sixth quality start in 10 outings since the beginning of August. The 34-year-old right-hander has a 3.62 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 68:24 K:BB through 59.2 innings over that stretch, helping Arizona stay ahead of the pack in the battle for a wild-card spot in the NL. Kelly figures to make what will be his last start of the regular season early next week on the road against the White Sox.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Tagged for seven runs
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Kelly (11-7) took the loss Thursday, allowing seven runs on six hits and four walks over five innings against the Mets. He struck out seven.
Kelly set down the first six Mets in short order before walking the bases loaded to start the third inning, and he allowed two runs to score in the frame. The 34-year-old hurler surrendered five more runs in the fifth, headlined by Jeff McNeil's two-run homer. Kelly allowed just one run in each of his previous two outings; however, those starts are bookended by a pair of seven-run disasters. In those four starts since Aug. 29, the righty's season-long ERA has gone from an impressive 2.97 to a still-respectable 3.45. Kelly is currently slated to face the Giants at home next week.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Allows one run in no-decision
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Kelly did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and five walks over 5.2 innings against the Cubs while striking out six.
Kelly managed to hold the Cubs to one run over his 5.2 innings of work despite matching his season high with five walks on the day. He's now allowed just one run through each of his first two starts this month after surrendering a season-high seven runs in his final August start. The right-hander also has not given up a home run in four consecutive outings, though he's now issued at least three walks in three of his last five.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Dominates in 11th win
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Kelly (11-6) allowed one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings Monday, striking out 12 and earning a win over the Rockies.
Kelly was electric yet again and produced double-digit strikeouts for the third time in his last five outings. He rebounded nicely after being tagged for seven runs by the Dodgers in his last start. Despite that hiccup, he now owns a 3.21 ERA with a strong 61:16 K:BB over his last nine starts. The only downside is that Kelly once again left the start earlier than expected due to cramping. He'll carry a 3.22 ERA into his next start, which is currently projected to be against the Cubs in Chicago.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Struggles against Dodgers
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Kelly (10-6) allowed seven runs on 12 hits and three walks while striking out one over five innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Dodgers.
Kelly exited his previous start with a hamstring cramp but suffered no further restrictions. His exit Tuesday appears to be solely based on poor performance, though he was able to complete five frames for the 23rd start in a row, the lone exception in 2023 being his season debut. The right-hander is now at a 3.31 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 147:52 K:BB through 141.1 innings this season. He's projected for a more favorable home start versus the Rockies early next week.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Cleared to start Tuesday
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Kelly (hamstring) is listed as the Diamondbacks' probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Kelly will be able to return to the hill on his normal four days rest despite exiting his most recent start Thursday versus the Reds due to a right hamstring cramp. The hamstring issue didn't prevent Kelly from turning in his best start of the season, as he held the Reds scoreless over seven frames while permitting just one hit and tying his career high with 12 strikeouts. Kelly has been stellar all season but especially so in August; through five starts this month, the right-hander has accrued a 2.08 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while striking out 37 over 30.1 innings.
Kelly exited Thursday's game against the Reds due to a cramp in his right hamstring, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Kelly allowed only one baserunner across seven scoreless innings of work while striking out 12. He was prepared to at least begin the eighth frame but was visited by trainers and ultimately left prior to throwing another pitch. The issue is considered minor, so there's a good chance that Kelly won't be forced to miss a start.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Exits with apparent cramp
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Kelly exited Thursday's game against the Reds prior to the eighth inning with apparent cramping, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.
Kelly pitched a brilliant game, throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing only one hit and striking out 12. He needed just 86 pitches to do so and was warming up to prepare for his eighth frame of work. However, trainers came to the mound and Kelly exited shortly thereafter. For now, the issue appears to be relatively minor, though more details should emerge soon.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Stumbles to win No. 10
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Kelly (10-5) picked up the win in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Padres, giving up three runs on five hits and four walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.
The right-hander was far from sharp, serving up a pair of solo shots in the first inning to Ha-Seong Kim and Manny Machado and tossing only 56 strikes among his 102 pitches before exiting, but Kelly got enough run support to collect his first win since June 19. Ironically, this was his worst outing of the second half -- since returning from a calf injury in late July, he's posted a 2.88 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 36:12 K:BB through 34.1 innings. Kelly will look to keep rolling in his next start, likely to come at home next weekend against the Reds.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Posts 11 strikeouts in no-decision
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Kelly allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out 11 batters over six innings in a no-decision during Monday's 6-4 loss to the Rockies.
Kelly left his previous start after six scoreless innings due to leg cramps, but he didn't appear to have any lingering issues Monday. The right-hander induced 21 swinging strikes and recorded a season-high 11 punchouts while allowing just two runs, each of which came on a solo homer. Kelly departed in line for the win but had to settle for a no-decision when Arizona's bullpen coughed up four runs in the eighth inning. Despite the disappointing outcome, Kelly continued a strong August during which he has tossed three straight quality starts and allowed just four runs over 18 frames while posting a 22:4 K:BB.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Battling leg cramps
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Kelly was taken out of Wednesday's game against the Dodgers due to a right leg cramp.
Kelly had pitched six shutout frames before being taken out of the game and limping off the field with a trainer. Kelly has already missed a significant amount of time with a right leg injury, but it seems as though his condition isn't nearly as severe this time around. The team will keep an eye on Kelly, but it remains likely the 34-year-old makes his next scheduled start Monday against Colorado.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Exits with injury
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Kelly was removed from Wednesday's game against the Dodgers with an apparent injury, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
It's unclear what exactly is wrong with Kelly, but the D-backs' trainer saw something he didn't like in Kelly's delivery. More information should come relatively soon, but fantasy managers should consider Kelly day-to-day for now. The 34-year-old righty has already missed a month of the season due to a blood clot in his right calf.
