Merrill Kelly Looks to Take Series vs Yankees

The D-backs face the Yankees one last time to determine the series.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly throws to the Oakland A s in the first inning / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY

The Diamondbacks evened the series with the New York Yankees last night, as they took a commanding 7-0 victory behind a quality start from Zac Gallen. Gallen tossed six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out six, and the offense came alive once again against left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. in the first inning.

The D-backs will face the Yankees in the deciding game of the series today. First pitch is at an early 12:40 PM. Right-hander Merrill Kelly will take the mound, as he looks to build off his stellar first start against the Colorado Rockies last week.

Kelly's first start saw him go 6 2/3 innings, allowing only three hits, no walks, and one earned run off a solo shot. He struck out eight batters and had excellent command of the zone all night, throwing 57 strikes on just 79 total pitches. Kelly will face some tougher hitters in the Yankees' lineup, but will look to continue his consistency to bring home the series today.

Lineups for the New York Yankees (5-1) and Arizona Diamondbacks (4-2) at Chase Field on April 3, 2024. / Alex D'Agostino

D-backs outfielder Corbin Carroll is back in the lineup after taking a day off yesterday. Carroll has struggled to get his bat going, hitting just 3-for-17 with three singles to start the season. However, he has walked six times and struck out only once. The D-backs would love for Carroll's bat to get hot quickly.

Ketel Marte will get a day off from his second-base spot, as he will DH in the leadoff spot against a left-handed starter in Carlos Rodón. Blaze Alexander, who will drop from the 2 spot to the 6 spot, will get his first start in a defensive position. Although a natural shortstop, Alexander will take Marte's place at second base today.

The young infielder has gone 4-for-10 in his first action with 2 RBI, after a white-hot Spring Training saw him slash .400/.431/.655. He will look to show off the defensive prowess and plus arm that was exemplified throughout the course of his Cactus League action.

Tucker Barnhart will give Gabriel Moreno a day off at the catcher's position. Barnhart has only had three plate appearances thus far, but he ripped a hard-hit single, stolen a base, and taken a walk in his limited playing time so far.

The D-backs will face a tough left-hander in Yankees starter Carlos Rodón. Although he had a tough, injury-filled 2023 season, Rodón tossed 4 1/3 innings of 1-run ball in his first start against the Houston Astros, although he did walk three batters and allow five hits in that stretch. The Snakes have struck early and often so far this season, as they've scored two or more runs in the first inning of five of their first six contests. Getting to Rodón early will be the key to another solid game.