The Arizona Diamondbacks return to Chase Field on Wednesday, September 16, to host the Miami Marlins in a 9:40 PM ET first pitch. Merrill Kelly takes the ball for Arizona against Miami's Ryan Gusto in what shapes up as a straightforward pitching matchup late in the regular season. With September baseball carrying real weight for teams chasing postseason positioning, this is a game the Diamondbacks will be expected to handle at home.

Starting Pitchers: Merrill Kelly vs. Ryan Gusto

Merrill Kelly gets the nod for Arizona. A veteran presence in the D-backs rotation, Kelly has been one of the more reliable arms the organization has leaned on over multiple seasons. He works efficiently, competes deep into games, and keeps lineups honest with a varied pitch mix. He's exactly the kind of starter you want anchoring a September home game.

Miami counters with Ryan Gusto. Gusto is a lesser-known name on the national radar, but the D-backs won't overlook him — September opponents rarely come in rolling over. Arizona will need to do their homework and make him work early.

Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup

• 1. Lars Nootbaar — LF
• 2. Ketel Marte — 2B
• 3. Gabriel Moreno — C
• 4. Geraldo Perdomo — SS
• 5. Corbin Carroll — RF
• 6. Nolan Arenado — 3B
• 7. Jesús Sánchez — DH
• 8. Pavin Smith — 1B
• 9. Tim Tawa — CF

Keys to Watch

Ketel Marte Sets the Table

Batting second behind Lars Nootbaar, Ketel Marte remains the engine of this offense. When Marte is locked in, the middle of the order — Moreno, Perdomo, Carroll — gets better pitches to hit. Nootbaar leading off gives Arizona a patient, professional at-bat to open innings, but Marte is the catalyst who can turn singles into crooked numbers.

Corbin Carroll's Spot in the Order

Carroll batting fifth is a lineup construction worth watching. He brings speed and bat-to-ball ability that can manufacture runs in multiple ways. If the top of the order is clicking, Carroll will see opportunities with runners on base.

Nolan Arenado Settles the Defense

Adding Nolan Arenado at third base gives this Arizona infield a different look. His presence alongside Perdomo at short tightens up the left side considerably. Kelly is a ground ball pitcher by nature — having Arenado behind him at third is a genuine asset.

Kelly's Command Is the Margin

The Marlins aren't a lineup that will beat you with power, but they can grind at-bats and take advantage of free passes. Kelly needs to attack the zone early and keep Miami off the bases. If he's sharp with his command, this should be a comfortable night for the D-backs.

Prediction

Arizona is the better team at home, and Kelly is a proven commodity on the mound. The lineup has enough depth from top to bottom — particularly with Arenado and Sánchez adding pop in the middle-to-lower third — to generate enough runs against an unproven arm in Gusto. Expect Kelly to go six-plus innings, the bullpen to close it out, and the Diamondbacks to pick up a win at Chase Field. D-backs 5, Marlins 2.

Catch the game on DBACKS.TV or listen live on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.