The Miami Marlins head to Phoenix for a Wednesday night road matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET on September 16, 2026. Ryan Gusto gets the ball for Miami against Arizona's Merrill Kelly in what figures to be a pitcher's duel in the desert. With the regular season winding down, every game on the schedule carries real weight, and the Marlins need to take care of business on the road to stay relevant in the standings.

Pitching Matchup: Ryan Gusto vs. Merrill Kelly at Chase Field

Ryan Gusto draws the start for the Marlins in this one. The right-hander will need to navigate a Diamondbacks lineup that plays in one of the more hitter-friendly environments in the National League. Chase Field's retractable roof and the dry desert air can turn a hittable pitch into a souvenir in a hurry, so command and pitch sequencing will be critical for Gusto from the first inning on.

On the other side, Merrill Kelly is a veteran presence for Arizona. Kelly has long been one of the more durable and reliable arms in the Diamondbacks' rotation, capable of working deep into games and keeping hitters off-balance with a mix of pitches. The Marlins' hitters will need to have a plan against him and be willing to grind out at-bats and work pitch counts early.

Keys to the Game for the Marlins

• Gusto's command early: If Gusto can establish the strike zone and avoid big innings in the first three frames, Miami gives itself a legitimate chance to steal a win in a tough road environment.
• Working Kelly's pitch count: Kelly is at his best when he's cruising through lineups efficiently. Miami's offense needs to make him work, extend at-bats, and force Arizona's bullpen into the game as early as possible.
• Bullpen depth: Late-game situations on the road often come down to which bullpen is sharper. The Marlins need their relief arms ready to protect a lead or keep the game close if Gusto exits early.
• Capitalizing on opportunities: Scoring against Kelly requires patience and execution. Runners on base can disappear quickly if Miami isn't disciplined with two strikes or opportunistic with runners in scoring position.

Why This Game Matters

September road games against quality opponents are a measuring stick. The Diamondbacks are playing in their own building with a motivated roster, and Chase Field is no easy place to win. For the Marlins, coming away with a win here would be a statement about where this club stands heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Road wins don't come gift-wrapped, and this is exactly the kind of game Miami needs to show it can compete away from South Florida.

How to Watch and Listen

Marlins fans can catch the game on Marlins.TV presented by Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia. Radio coverage is available in English on WQAM 104.3 and in Spanish on WAQI 710 and La Campesina 101.9 FM & 860 AM.

Prediction

This is a competitive spot for a young Marlins pitcher on the road in a late-season game. Merrill Kelly is an experienced arm who won't beat himself. Still, if Gusto is sharp and Miami's offense can scratch enough runs together against Arizona's bullpen, there's a path to a Marlins victory. Call it a close game that comes down to the final three innings. Marlins 4, Diamondbacks 3.