Merrill Kelly posted less-than-stellar strikeout numbers in 2024, and our expert MLB predictions expect that trend to continue tonight against the Cubs.
Merrill Kelly posted less-than-stellar strikeout numbers in 2024, and our expert MLB predictions expect that trend to continue tonight against the Cubs. The Chicago Cubs won Game 1 of their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the two clubs will play again at Chase Field on Friday, March 28.
Arizona will turn to veteran Merrill Kelly to start the rematch, and my Cubs vs. Diamondbacks predictions expect the North Siders to rough up the righty tonight.fanned six batters across five frames in his final spring outing, but he also served up three consecutive home runs and topped out at 45 pitches. Kelly posted an underwhelming 7.7 K/9 and 21.0 K% over 13 starts last season, and the 36-year-old veteran missed the bulk of the year with a shoulder injury.Additionally, it took Kelly 66 pitches – his highest count this spring – to record just 2 2/3 innings in his start against the Los Angeles Angels on March 17.were patient at the plate in Thursday’s series opener, and Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen struck out four and walked four across four innings. Gallen finished with 83 pitches, and I’m not expecting Kelly to pitch too much deeper into Friday’s game – especially given his underwhelming spring. Plus, the Cubbies had the third-highest walk rate against right-handed pitchers last season and took six free passes in the series opener.The Cubs and Diamondbacks combined for 16 runs in the first game of the series, and Kelly and Chicago starter Jameson Taillon are unlikely to keep the scoring down Friday. Taillon wasn’t sharp this spring, either. He only threw 10 2/3 innings across three starts and posted a 6.75 ERA. Those spring numbers don’t include Taillon throwing four scoreless innings in an exhibition game against the Yomiuri Giants on March 16, but I’m not overvaluing that start. He allowed five runs on six hits – two home runs – and a walk through just four innings in his final spring tuneup against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.was aggressive at the dish Thursday, and he’s cleared this total in consecutive games despite a 2-for-13 start and unsustainably low .237 wOBA. The 28-year-old star posted a high-end .371 wOBA and .238 ISO against right-handed arms during his career.The Arizona Diamondbacks have hit the Over in 69 of their last 110 games . Find more : Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links. Neil Parker is, first and foremost, a sports fan. A huge supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, and Maple Leafs, he has managed to parlay his passion into writing gigs with Sportsbook Review, USA TODAY, theScore, DraftKings Playbook, and RotoWire, among many others. He also co-hosted the Daily Fantasy Edge podcast and can now be seen offering expert golf and hockey advice on Covers’ Before you Bet broadcast. Neil takes a numbers-based approach to his handicapping and complements his in-depth statistical analysis with a keen eye on the markets to provide the best available odds. He loves to lean on his rolodex of idioms to offset his inner nerd. When it comes to wagering, he throws down on anything that catches his eye at bet365, Betway and BetVictor. He also keeps a close eye on CoolBet because the polar bear brand often has outlier NHL and NFL moneyline prices. Neil graduated with honors from St. Thomas University in 2007 before completing his BEd at Acadia University in 2010. After teaching a myriad of courses and subjects, he found a groove delivering fun lessons to exceptional learners in non-traditional classroom environments. If his decade-plus teaching run taught him anything about sports betting, it’s to stay the course and use the summer – or offseason – to refresh and prepare to be better in the year to come. Neil’s top pieces of advice for recreational bettors are to stay within your means and to remember sportsbooks aren’t bank accounts. Don’t be afraid to pull those winnings and treat yourself to a lifetime experience courtesy of a big win.Mar 28, 2025Copyright © 1995 - 2025 CS Media Limited All Rights Reserved. If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so.It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly.Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality.Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it.As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.
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