The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate the Fourth of July at Chase Field on Saturday, July 4, 2026, when they host the Milwaukee Brewers in a 9:40 PM ET first pitch. Merrill Kelly gets the ball for Arizona, squaring off against Brandon Woodruff in what shapes up as a compelling pitching duel between two experienced starters. With the dog days of summer firmly here and every game carrying real playoff-race weight, this is exactly the kind of mid-season home matchup the D-backs need to control — in front of their own crowd on a holiday weekend.

Starting Pitchers: Kelly vs. Woodruff

Merrill Kelly is the unsung backbone of this Arizona rotation — a veteran who competes hard, attacks the zone, and gives the offense a chance to win. He's the kind of pitcher you want on the mound in a meaningful July game. Kelly's durability and command are his calling cards, and Chase Field's dimensions suit a pitcher who lives on contact and keeps the ball in the yard.

On the other side, Brandon Woodruff remains one of the National League's more dangerous arms when healthy and locked in. He's got premium stuff — a fastball that still hums and a slider that can put lineups away. Arizona's offense will need to be patient and work counts early before Woodruff's pitch count climbs. Letting him cruise through five or six innings without a fight is not an option.

Arizona Diamondbacks Starting Lineup

• 1. Ketel Marte — 2B
• 2. Geraldo Perdomo — SS
• 3. Corbin Carroll — RF
• 4. Gabriel Moreno — DH
• 5. Adrian Del Castillo — C
• 6. Nolan Arenado — 3B
• 7. Max Kepler — LF
• 8. Ildemaro Vargas — 1B
• 9. Tommy Troy — CF

Keys to Watch for Arizona

Ketel Marte Sets the Table

Batting leadoff, Marte is the engine of this offense. When he's getting on base and making things happen early, it puts immediate pressure on opposing pitchers. Against a starter like Woodruff, first-inning momentum matters enormously.

Corbin Carroll in the Three Hole

Slotting Carroll third is a statement about where this lineup is right now. He's the kind of dynamic, multi-tool threat who can change a game with his legs as much as his bat. If Marte and Perdomo are on base ahead of him, Woodruff is in serious trouble.

Nolan Arenado Provides Middle-Order Punch

Arenado batting sixth gives Arizona a legitimate power threat deep in the order. Any pitcher who navigates the top of the lineup and lets his guard down will pay for it when Arenado steps in. He's still one of the best in the business when he gets a pitch to drive.

Kelly Must Limit Damage Early

Woodruff is at his best when his counterpart matches zeros early. If Kelly surrenders crooked numbers in the first couple of innings, Arizona's offense has to do the heavy lifting against a pitcher built for that exact situation. Clean early innings from Kelly are the key to keeping this game within reach.

Prediction

This has the feel of a low-scoring, tightly contested ballgame — exactly the kind that comes down to one big swing or one mistake pitch. Kelly has proven he can handle big moments, and Arizona's lineup, stacked top to bottom with credible threats, is capable of scratching across enough runs to win. Expect the D-backs to find a way in a walk-off or late-inning decision. Arizona 3, Milwaukee 2.

Catch the game on DBACKS.TV or listen locally on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. Spanish-language coverage is available on La Campesina 101.9 FM and 860 AM.