Diamondbacks Look to Continue Success Against Surprising Marlins

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face off against the Miami Marlins starting Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in the first game of a three-game road series at loanDepot park. The Diamondbacks come into the matchup with a 9-7 record, following a successful 4-2 homestand, while the Marlins hold an 8-7 record, performing surprisingly well early in the season.

Arizona is coming off a thrilling series where they secured victories over the Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles. Despite some challenges, including being outscored 13-10 by Milwaukee and a difficult stretch of 17 consecutive innings without scoring a run, their overall performance has positioned them well as they begin this road trip.

Merrill Kelly will take the mound for Arizona, aiming to solidify his role as a key starter. His current ERA of 7.20 is skewed due to a hefty nine runs given up in a single game at Yankee Stadium. However, in his other two starts combined, he has pitched 11.1 innings with only two earned runs allowed.

Kelly noted the importance of turning things around. “I just need to focus on executing my pitches and keeping the ball down,” he said. “This is a crucial time for us as a team.”

Against the Marlins, Kelly will be challenged by a lineup that has benefitted from facing weaker opponents early in the season. Miami’s eight wins include five against the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals. The D-backs will need to be vigilant, as the Marlins are known for their ability to turn tight games into victories with their scrappy play.

Connor Gillispie will feature for Miami, looking to improve upon his second major league season after a decent start with a ERA of 3.86. He has mainly pitched in relief but has made three successful starts this year. Gillispie is known for his low strikeout rate and relies on inducing soft contact.

“I’m just focused on helping the team win,” Gillispie said. “Every outing counts, and I want to build on what I did last time.”

The pitching matchups throughout the series will include Brandon Pfaadt for the D-backs on Wednesday, who boasts a 3.50 ERA, and Max Meyer for the Marlins, who has shown impressive form with a 2.00 ERA. Thursday’s game will feature Eduardo Rodríguez for Arizona, whose ERA is 4.86 but has shown improvement in recent outings.

Miami’s Max Meyer has been a standout performer, with only four runs allowed over 18 innings pitched this season. “Pitching efficiently has been the key for me this year,” Meyer remarked after a stellar shutout performance against the Mets.

On the offensive side, the Diamondbacks are led by Corbin Carroll, who is currently hitting .333 with five home runs, and Geraldo Perdomo, who has a .333 average and leads the team with 13 RBIs. However, the team will need more production from players like Eugenio Suárez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., both of whom are averaging .145.

The Marlins’ offense, while not explosive, has seen Kyle Stowers, Griffin Conine, and Xavier Edwards all hitting above .300. Their home run leader, Matt Mervis, has powered five over the fence but has also recorded a significant number of strikeouts.

As both teams look to assert dominance in their first series of the season, the Diamondbacks aim to continue building on their recent momentum while the Marlins strive to prove their early success is legitimate.