The Arizona Diamondbacks will face a familiar opponent on Wednesday when veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly takes the mound for the Texas Rangers. This game marks Kelly’s first opportunity to pitch against Arizona since being traded at the MLB Trade Deadline, highlighting a significant moment as he confronts the team that launched his Major League career after his time playing in Korea.
Merrill Kelly Reflects on Facing His Former Team
Kelly expressed no bitterness about returning to face the Diamondbacks and embraced the chance to reconnect with former teammates amid a season full of roster changes.
“Just with how much change there has been — different faces, different places, different people — it’s nice to see some familiar faces and have some familiarity kind of in the world of ups and downs right now,”
Kelly said to reporter Nick Piecoro.
He further emphasized the competitive spirit that comes with these matchups, noting,
“That’s the fun part about baseball, especially when you’ve been around for a little bit. Those guys know how I pitch and I know how they hit.”
Kelly also pointed to the irony of now pitching for the Rangers, the team that ended the Diamondbacks’ World Series aspirations two seasons ago, during which Kelly was the only Arizona pitcher to earn a win. Reflecting on that experience, he remarked,
“It kind of smacked me right in the face. The reminder of losing the World Series is definitely very prevalent here. But I guess the saying goes, ‘If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.’”
Upcoming Duel Highlighted by Friendship Between Kelly and Zac Gallen
One of the most compelling storylines in this game is Kelly’s matchup against Zac Gallen, a close friend and former Diamondbacks teammate. Having developed a bond while sharing the same rotation, the two right-handers will now compete on opposite sides, creating a personal and professional highlight for both clubs.
“I’m happy that he’s pitched really well this year. He put himself in a spot to… go and pitch for a contender and see what happens.”
—Zac Gallen, Pitcher
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo also acknowledged this intriguing confrontation, joking about the upcoming game to reporters:
“I said, ‘There’s going to be a showdown on Wednesday. You guys ready to rock? Have you talked to Merrill?’ He’s like, ‘No, nothing. I’m ready to go.’
I think [Gallen]’s pretty excited about it. It’s going to be a big moment for me to watch those two guys going toe-to-toe at each other.”
—Torey Lovullo, Diamondbacks Manager
Current Season Performances Shape Expectations
Merrill Kelly has delivered a strong season overall. Before his trade to Texas, he maintained a 3.22 ERA with the Diamondbacks, though he has allowed six earned runs in his first 10 innings pitched for the Rangers. Meanwhile, Gallen has endured challenges throughout 2025 but has shown promise recently, recording back-to-back six-inning Quality Starts.
Arizona aims to capitalize on its momentum after splitting the first two games of the series with the Rangers, including a thrilling victory in game two that evened the series at 1-1. Texas, currently slipping in the American League West standings, seeks to regain ground in the Wild Card race and build late-season momentum.
If Kelly can replicate the success he found with Arizona, the Rangers may pose a significant challenge to the Diamondbacks’ offense on Wednesday, as they face a crafty pitcher intimately familiar with their lineup.