Merrill Kelly, pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, remains unfazed by the noise of the Philadelphia Phillies' crowd as he prepares to make his first postseason start at Citizens Bank Park. Kelly, who previously played in the World Baseball Classic, stated that he would be surprised if the crowd noise in Philadelphia surpassed that of the Venezuela game in Miami. D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo also downplayed the concept of home-field advantage in the playoffs. Kelly's comments come ahead of the game against the Phillies on Tuesday night.
Merrill Kelly will make his first #postseason start at Citizens Bank Park against the Phillies on Tuesday night where he isn't worried about the Red October crowd. D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo also said there's no such thing as home-field advantage in the playoffs. https://t.co/epWr9PBRVz
D-Backs pitcher Merrill Kelly says Phillies fans aren’t the loudest crowd he’s heard https://t.co/eUVGs8Z7Hb
Tonight’s Dbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly just gave Philly fans a challenge https://t.co/1MgRbYjLFK
“I haven’t obviously heard this place on the field, but I’d be very surprised if it trumped that Venezuela game down in Miami.” Diamondbacks Game 2 starter Merrill Kelly references his World Baseball Classic experience as he prepares to pitch in Philly https://t.co/zOAyIgGmxJ
Philly fans with a louder crowd pop for a first-pitch strike in the top of the first than some other ballparks get for a homer.