The Diamondbacks Host the Cubs on Jackie Robinson Day

Merrill Kelly will start on one of the most important days on the baseball calendar

Apr 9, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Diamondbacks host the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field this evening in celebration of Jackie Robinson Day. Game time is 6:40 P.M. As is the tradition, each player will wear Robinson's number 42 to honor and commemorate the breaking down of the barriers that kept African Americans and people of color from participating in major league baseball. Robinson was the first to break the color barrier in 1947, playing for the then Brooklyn Dodgers.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo addressed the media and spoke about what Robinson's achievement meant to him, and the courage it took for change the game for the good. game means to him.

#Dbacks manager Torey Lovullo on Jackie Robinson Day pic.twitter.com/Y1y0Rm7fTw

— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) April 15, 2024

Pitching Matchup

Merrill Kelly takes the mound for Arizona tonight. The co-ace of the Diamondbacks Rotation is 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA. Together with Zac Gallen he has helped form one of the most formidable rotation duos in the game today. Kelly has gone at least six innings in each of his first three starts.

The Cubs counter with 6'6" right-hander Ben Brown who has a 6.10 ERA in 10.1 major league innings so far. His first two outings came in long relief, but he was excellent in his first major league start. He went 4.2 innings against the Padres without giving up a run and allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out five. It's a two pitch mix, with a high 90's fastball that averages 96.3 MPH and a good knuckle curve.

Lineups

Lineups for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona on April 15, 2024. / Michael McDermott

Kevin Newman is in at shortstop tonight and Blaze Alexander will begin the game on the bench. The D-backs team offense has been a little quieter over the last six days, batting .244/.321/.371, .692 OPS team with five home runs. Their 89 runs scored ranks 6th in the NL.

The Cubs placed Seiya Suzuki on the injured list today with an oblique injury and called up outfielder Alexander Canario. Suzuki was the Cubs' second best hitter so far this year with a .305 batting average and .893 OPS. First baseman Michael Busch is one of the leading hitters in MLB in this early part of the season, batting .327 with five homers and a 1.087 OPS.

Torey Lovullo Pre Game Updates

Lovullo confirmed that Ryne Nelson will take his turn in the rotation on Thursday, April 18th in San Francisco. He also said that the team is contractually obligated to activate Jordan Montgomery no later than April 19th and that he fully expects the left-hander to "walk through that door" on that date.

Paul Sewald will throw a bullpen tomorrow. Lovullo could not yet confirm when he might begin a rehab assignment

Alek Thomas is supposed to ramp up his running program sometime later this week.

You can listen below to his full comments regarding the various updates Lovullo gave in the video embedded below

Torey Lovullo gave updates on Jordan Montgomery, Alek Thomas, and Paul Sewald in today's media session. pic.twitter.com/6sbbSiFuVe

— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcDMLB) April 15, 2024