Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly changed the balance of power in Game 2 by keeping the Rangers off-balance

ARLINGTON, Texas — The humble changeup has always played a supporting role on the baseball field. It was never meant to be the star of the show or take center stage. But sometimes, the unexpected is exactly what a situation needs. Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly, who relied heavily on his changeup to dominate the Texas Rangers in Game 2 of the World Series, is a perfect advocate for the pitch.

After spending years honing his skills in the minors and playing in Korea, Kelly made his MLB debut at the age of 30. Since then, he has continued to improve and has had his best season yet, with an impressive 3.29 ERA. Now, he is making a name for himself in the World Series. Despite not possessing the qualities of a typical top-tier pitcher, Kelly has found his own way to succeed.

In Game 2, Kelly kept the Rangers guessing with his array of pitches. He threw six different pitches, mixing them up to create confusion in the Rangers’ lineup. The changeup, a pitch that is usually least expected, was Kelly’s most frequently thrown pitch. He threw 22 changeups, resulting in a .180 batting average against and zero home runs. His changeup had the Rangers swinging and missing, fouling off, and hitting weak ground balls.

Kelly’s ability to make batters make split-second decisions was key to his success. Rather than relying on overpowering fastballs or devastating breaking balls, Kelly makes his living on precision and strategy. He forces batters to swing at pitches they might not normally swing at, using his ability to change directions and speeds to his advantage.

In his second consecutive dominant performance, Kelly proved that he is a force to be reckoned with. He went seven innings, striking out nine batters and walking none. He became the first World Series starter in the 2020s to pitch seven innings. His ability to navigate through the Rangers’ lineup, especially in the third time through, showcased his dominance as a starting pitcher.

By allowing Kelly to pitch deep into the game, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was able to preserve his bullpen for future games. Kelly’s performance allowed the team to bring in lesser-used relievers to close out the game, saving their top pitchers for later. Kelly’s versatility and pitch diversity played a crucial role in the Diamondbacks’ victory.

As Kelly and the Diamondbacks head back to Arizona with a home-field advantage, they know the power of the changeup firsthand. Show hitters the same thing too many times, and they’ll adjust. But show them something different, like Kelly’s devastating changeup, and they’ll struggle to keep up. The changeup is a pitch that can create miracles on the field.

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David Rodriguez

David Rodriguez brings the excitement of Major League Baseball to readers. With a deep appreciation for America’s pastime, he covers the latest MLB news, scores, and player achievements, keeping fans up to date with their favorite teams and players.