PHOENIX – Arizona has arrived in the Bay Area on Monday, as the Diamondbacks face off against the San Francisco Giants for the first time of the 2025 season.
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May 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte celebrates after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Monday’s pitching matchups:
Merrill Kelly will be on the mound today for the Arizona Diamondbacks. In Kelly’s last start, he avoided cramping issues that he had dealt with earlier in the season. After pitching 6.1 innings, Kelly gave up three earned runs on six hits but threw a season-high 98 pitches. In his last seven games, Kelly has a 4.42 ERA with a 2-2 record but has struck out 32 hitters while only walking eight.
May 7, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) throws against the New York Mets. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The San Francisco Giants will be starting 42-year-old Justin Verlander on Monday night. Verlander, who is in his 20th MLB season, has an 0-2 record with a 4.50 ERA so far in 2025. In his last outing in Chicago, Verlander went five innings but gave up three earned runs on five hits against the Cubs. Verlander faced Arizona once last season and had a nightmare performance as he gave up eight runs in just three innings.
Key Players on Monday:
Pavin Smith was on a tear over the weekend at Chase Field against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After starting the month of May without a hit, in the last three games, Smith has racked up six hits. Last time Smith faced Justin Verlander, he hit two home runs against him. Roster news came this morning that top prospect Jordan Lawlar will be joining the Arizona Diamondbacks, as his availability could be large for this club going forward. With Verlander on the mound tonight, it is expected Lawlar will make his start on Tuesday night facing up against former D-Back pitcher Robbie Ray.
Plan for Jordan Lawlar is to play 2B, SS and 3B and get 4-5 games a week. Arizona can mix and match days off for the regular starters with DH duties to make this work.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) May 12, 2025
May 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first base Pavin Smith (26) makes the play for an out against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
San Francisco started this season off shattering people’s expectations, and have been steady so far in May, although they were just recently swept in Minnesota by the Twins. Arizona will look ahead after a series tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Capitalizing on these winnable games inside the division, especially how competitive the NL West is, must be a priority for the Snakes. The first game of the series is tonight at Oracle Park at 6:45 p.m. PT.
Top prospect gets unleashed as Diamondbacks add helpful firepower
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
