Rangers new right hander vital as rotation begins to show signs of fatigue

As Merrill Kelly gets set to make his second start in a Texas Rangers' uniform on Friday at Globe Life Field, his addition to the starting rotation couldn't come at a better time.

While the pitching staff is having one of the best seasons in franchise history, it is also suffering from massive fatigue, whether confirmed or not. Jacob deGrom, who's resurgence has been breathe-taking has faltered over his last two starts and rookie Jack Leiter has eclipsed his career-innings pitched in season.

Even with Nathan Eovadli bolstering an amazing 10-3 record and 1.39 ERA in 111 innings this season, he still had to miss some time earlier this year due to elbow inflammation. Now, that issue might be resolved but it adds to a growing list of things that have plagued the rotation lately.

Kelly's presence hopefully eases some pressure on Rangers' starters

Kelly, 36, came over to Texas from Arizona on July 31. He'd only ever played for the Diamondbacks in his MLB career, signing there as a free agent prior to the 2019 season and making his debut for Arizona in April of that year.

The Arizona native played his college ball at Arizona State and was meant to be a D-back for his career but obviously baseball had other plans. Now he finds himself in Texas, two years after losing to them in the World Series.

Throughout his career, he has pitched 958 2/3 innings (5 2/3 of those with Texas) and has a 62-50 record with a 3.74 ERA, 871 strikeouts and a 1.19 WHIP. For a pitcher that has made 163 career starts, those numbers are great.

Before joining Arizona, he also happened to be Korean Baseball Organization champion, winning the KBO with the SK Wyverns in 2018 and was the 2017 KBO strikeout leader. In his four seasons overseas, he had a 48-32 record, 3.86 ERA and 871 strikeouts in 119 games.

His first start with Texas on August 2 against Seattle, Kelly struck out six in 5 2/3 innings of work, surrendering two runs in the Rangers only win of the four-game series.

All that being said to emphasize one point. Kelly is a pure example of a pitcher's pitcher. He goes out every fifth day and gives you innings. Add that to what Eovaldi, deGrom and Patrick Corbin are giving Texas, that makes a pretty reliable four man run as they aim to get to the postseason.