Former Sun Devil forces a Game 7 in the NLCS

PHILADELPHIA, — Former Sun Devil Merrill Kelly took the mound this afternoon for the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was Game 6 of the NLCS against one of the hardest-hitting teams in baseball. Win or go home.

These are the types of moments that the Scottsdale native and former Arizona State baseball standout used to dream about.

Former Sun Devil Merrill Kelly deals against the Phillies

Kelly had one of the best seasons of his career in 2023. The 35-year-old vet boasted a 3.29 ERA on the season, good for 11th best in the majors. He struck out 187 batters on the season (22nd in MLB) and held a 12-8 record (tied for 23rd in MLB).

However, once the clock turns to October, all of the regular season stats are thrown out the window. Playoff baseball is where champions are made and the pressure is at its peak. There are countless great pitchers that could never get it done in October.

Kelly’s NLDS success

Kelly saw his first postseason action in the NLDS against the star-studded Dodgers. The Desert Mountain High School product showed up.

He helped lead Arizona to a decisive 11-1 lead, in Los Angeles. Kelly pitched 6.1 innings of three-hit ball and didn’t give up any runs. He also added five strikeouts.

Unfortunately for the pitcher, his postseason success wouldn’t last long.

Kelly faces the Phillies

Kelly saw his first action in the NLCS on Oct. 17, in Philadelphia. Quite the hostile environment. Things didn’t go nearly as well in Kelly’s second postseason outing. The ace pitched 5.1 innings, giving up three hits, and four runs. All three of his hits were home runs.

Arizona fell, 10-0, and went down 2-0 in the series.

It looked like the Diamondbacks’ season, and Kelly’s was over. However, that wasn’t the case. Arizona took two of three matchups at Chase Field, forcing a Game 6 in Philadelphia.

Kelly had a chance to redeem himself against a stacked lineup featuring heavy hitters like Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, and Bryson Stott.

This time the former Sun Devil stepped up.

Kelly pitched five innings of three-hit ball and only surrendered one run. He struck out eight and walked three. He was also credited with the win, as Arizona held on 5-1.

The Arizona State grad did the improbable, stealing a win at Citizens Bank Park in a hostile environment. Kelly kept the chaos churning for this Cinderella story.

The Diamondbacks and Phillies will face off in a Game 7 on Tuesday night, the Phillies’ first ever.

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