Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks Set Game 2 World Series Starters

The Texas Rangers named Jordan Montgomery their starter for Game 2 of the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers made the expected official on Friday, announcing left-hander Jordan Montgomery as their Game 2 starter for the World Series.

The Arizona Diamondbacks will counter with Merrill Kelly. Both pitchers will be making their first World Series start.

Game 2 is Saturday night at Globe Life Field at 7:03 p.m.

Montgomery (3-0, 2-16) last pitched in relief in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, coming in for starter Max Scherzer and pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, giving up three hits, and getting the win.

He said on Friday he felt no impact from that appearance.

“Coming out of the bullpen for the first time and not being used to it, having just pitched (in Game 5) it was tiring," Montgomery said. "I’m back on my five-day and tomorrow will be my five-day and I’ll be good.”

Before that, he took a no-decision in Game 5 against the Astros, giving up five hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings. He won Game 1 of that series, pitching 6 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball.

He took a no-decision in his only start against Baltimore in the AL Division Series on Oct. 8 and won the Rangers’ first postseason game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card round.

The Rangers are 4-1 when Montgomery pitches in any role.

Montgomery faced Arizona twice in the regular season. He took a loss against the D-backs when he was with St. Louis. On April 18, he gave up 10 hits and seven runs in four innings.

With the Rangers, Montgomery faced Arizona on Aug. 21 and threw eight scoreless innings, allowing four hits. The Rangers lost the game in extra innings.

Kelly is 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA in three postseason starts. He last pitched against Philadelphia in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Monday. He claimed the victory, going five innings while allowing three hits and one run.

He took a no-decision against Philadelphia earlier in that series and won his only other start, which came against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series. In that game, he threw 6 1/3 shutout innings and only allowed three hits.

Kelly did not face the Rangers this season.

World Series Schedule (all times CT)
Friday: Game 1 Arizona at Texas, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Saturday: Game 2 Arizona at Texas, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Monday: Game 3 Texas at Arizona, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Tuesday: Game 4 Texas at Arizona, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Wednesday: Game 5 Texas at Arizona (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Friday, Nov. 3: Game 6 Arizona at Texas (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 4: Game 7 Arizona at Texas (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

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