By the numbers: D-backs RHP Merrill Kelly’s struggles vs. Dodgers in 2022
Sep 20, 2022, 11:02 AM | Updated: 11:06 am
Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly has been one of the best pitchers in the National League in 2022, but he has consistently struggled against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The righty has been the team’s No. 2 pitcher in the rotation behind ace Zac Gallen and is one of the best one-two punches in the entire major leagues.
Despite ranking near the top of so many National League statistics, Kelly’s numbers against the Dodgers do not reflect that of a top-tier pitcher.
Let’s take a look at the D-backs’ No. 2 against Los Angeles by the numbers:
30
In 30 games pitched this season, Kelly has faced the Dodgers five of those times.
His ERA against the 28 teams not wearing the Dodger blue was 2.38, which would rank third among NL ERA leaders. In the five games against L.A., Kelly posted an 8.25 ERA.
Kelly’s last two appearances were against L.A. where he surrendered eight runs, seven walks and struck 15 over 11 innings. Both were losses for Arizona.
5
Outside of playing the Dodgers, Kelly has given up five earned runs just once all season.
After Monday, Kelly allowed five or more runs twice against L.A., including an eight-run drubbing in April.
“It’s like having a big brother you keep wrestling and every time, he taps you out,” Kelly told reporters in Los Angeles on Monday.
“I know that I can compete with them. … It’s when you start getting crooked numbers and deep innings against a team like that, is when you start getting beat. I feel like I throw competitive games against them, but I just need to do a better job of the damage control.”
22
Kelly has allowed 66 runs in 2022, 22 to the Dodgers in just 24 innings pitched.
The righty has surrendered just 44 runs in 160.2 innings pitched against the other 28 MLB teams.
The head-scratching numbers don’t reflect on the career year Kelly is having, but have jumped off the page as his ERA has risen from 2.94 to 3.15 over the last 11 innings.
“With a team like that, the more mistakes you make, the more chances they have of getting you,” Kelly said.
“That’s why they’re such a good team. They don’t miss the mistakes that a lot of other teams do.”
