The Arizona Diamondbacks saw the fantastic return of one of their key players yesterday when Merrill “The Mainstay” Kelly faced the Philadelphia Phillies. His dominant return deserves a closer look.
Most fans would have been happy with a quiet but solid return from Kelly, as a lingering injury certainly pushed him to the limit in his first outing. However, that’s not what Diamondbacks fans got from the veteran right-hander.
Merrill Kelly pitched 5 innings against the Phillies and allowed just 2 runs, both of which came in the first inning. The opposing batters were also not as dangerous as we’ve come to expect from such a strong Philly team, allowing just 3 hits and 2 walks, continuing a brutal offensive streak against the Diamondbacks.
“I felt good,” Kelly said after his performance. “Three months off, just watching the team be as good as ever… it feels good to be back.”
It seemed like Kelly was a little rusty early in the game, allowing just two runs in the first inning, but the right-hander gave a different reason. “I don’t know if it was rusty. Maybe rush would be a better word. I was just going a little too fast to get the adrenaline going again. When the third inning came … it was like riding a bike.”
Looking closer, there are certainly some sample size issues to be observed. For someone who only made his fifth start of the year in August, the expected numbers can be a bit shaky. However, it’s important to note that Kelly only has a .218 BABIP, which is due to some regression, as well as a 3.75 FIP, compared to an ERA of just 2.43.
The other fringe effects are absolutely outstanding. Kelly is getting strikeouts and limiting walks at the best rate of his career. His 2 walks in yesterday’s game are the second most he’s allowed this year, but he still maintains his outstanding 2.43 BB/9.
Kelly is also leaving runners on the field at a career-high 84% (not counting 2020). Combined with a 48.8% ground ball rate – also a career high – this seems to be an important tool for getting out of tough situations.
“It was a feeling of achievement,” said Kelly at yesterday’s start. “The three months that have passed. The rehab and the ups and downs that came with it. The fact that I was able to finish fifth and give us a head start is what I am most proud of.”
With Merrill Kelly’s return to the rotation, the Diamondbacks have finally completed the rotation puzzle they had planned before the year. The skills of the starters now on the active roster are on par with the best rotations in MLB, and with the D-backs’ offense on a league-wide streak, it’s all coming together.
The Diamondbacks are now just 3.5 games behind the Dodgers at the top of the NL West and are currently tied with the Dodgers for the first Wild Card spot. They have shown no signs of tiring yet, so be sure to check out Diamondbacks on SI to stay up to date on all things D-Backs.
