PHOENIX – You don’t have to tell D-backs right-hander Merrill Kelly how loud it can get at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. He’s seen firsthand what it’s like there in the biggest moments.
It was Game 3 of last year’s World Series, the Phillies’ first home game against the Astros, and it was also the birthday of Kelly’s brother Reid. Before moving to the Chicago area, the Kellys lived just outside of Philadelphia; The Phillies were Reid’s favorite team.
So Merrill went online and bought some tickets to take Reid with him. Since the game was rained out, they returned the next night and were rewarded with one of the best games in Phillies history. Philadelphia hit five home runs and defeated the Astros 7-0.
“I have seen [Phillies fans] probably as loud as they could be,” Merrill said. “They hit five home runs in that game. So it’s hard for me to believe that I’ll experience anything [there] is louder than that.”
Merrill still remembers what he said to Reid during the game.
“I remember looking at him and telling him, ‘This is obviously where I want to be in a year,’” Merrill said. “The fact that we’re going there for the LCS will be pretty cool. I’m excited to see what that energy actually feels like on the field.”
Kelly is scheduled to start Game 2 at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday. Zac Gallen is scheduled for Game 1 on Monday.
The D-Backs know the atmosphere in Philadelphia will be electric. It will be loud and Phillies fans will do their best to get under the skin of many opponents in the postseason. Philadelphia’s postseason winning percentage of .703 (26-11) at Citizens Bank Park (which made its playoff debut in 2007) is the best ever for a team at a park (minimum 20 games).
With that in mind, the D-Backs generated a raucous crowd noise during batting practice and their intrasquad game at Chase Field on Friday afternoon.
Beyond that, though, the D-backs feel like they’re prepared for what’s to come because of what they just went through. Their first four postseason games were in Milwaukee and Los Angeles, and the crowds were extremely loud in both locations.
“It’s going to be loud,” said seamstress Paul Sewald. “Phillies fans are vocal fans. They feel confident after last season and are doing pretty well at the moment.
“The key is to take the lead. You know, 60,000 people were waving blue towels this week, and after the first inning they didn’t wave them much anymore. And that’s really made Dodger Stadium a much easier environment to get involved in and play in. So the key will be to pounce on it. And if we can jump on that, it becomes a lot easier to play downhill.”
Moreno, let’s get started
It’s been a tough offseason physically for D-Backs catcher Gabriel Moreno. He was hit in the head by a backswing in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series and left the game. Then he suffered a foul tip on his right hand in Game 3 of the NL Division Series and left the game again.
Moreno was fortunate to avoid a concussion in Milwaukee and it looks like he was able to avoid a serious injury against the Dodgers as well. The x-rays were negative.
“We’re full steam ahead and he’s our starting catcher for Game 1,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said.
this and that
• Left-hander Tommy Henry, who was placed on the injured list on July 28 with left elbow inflammation and hasn’t pitched since, is a possibility to be used in relief. Henry pitched the simulated game on Friday.
• The D-backs had 12 pitchers and 14 position players in the first two rounds of the postseason, but could have 13 and 13 in this round. That’s because they’ll need to use more than just three starting pitchers in the best-of-seven series.
The short Wild Card Series and many off days during the NLDS allowed them to make do with just three starters: Gallen, Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt.