Merrill Kelly has issued a challenge to fans of the Philadelphia Phillies.
He doesn't think think they're that loud.
The Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher opined on the boisterous atmosphere at Citizen's Bank Park that's became baseball's biggest postseason party amid a barrage of home runs and wins for the home team.
He's heard louder.
"I haven't obviously heard this place on the field," Kelly told reporters Tuesday. "But I'd be very surprised if it trumped that Venezuela game down in Miami."
"This place" is Citizens Bank Ballpark. "That Venezuela game" was a thriller that saw USA top Venezuela, 9-7 at the World Baseball Classic in March capped by a go-ahead Trea Turner grand slam in the eighth inning.
Kelly wasn't on the field for that game either, so this feels even more like an intentional poking of the Philadelphia bear. Or Phanatic, if you will. It's not the first time Kelly's addressed the fans in Philadelphia. He addressed the subject on Sunday, prior to Philadelphia's Game 1 win on Monday.
"Everyone says it's kind of intimidating, but I feel like that's the fun part," Kelly told reporters. "That's kind of why we're here. We do it for the fans. The fans are the reason why we even have a league.
"I feel like even if they're yelling at you or for you, as long as there's 40-50,000 people in the stands, that's kind of why we get excited."
Get ready to get excited. Kelly's slated to take the mound Tuesday night in Game 2. Phillies fans will be waiting.