NL DIVISION SERIES: GIANTS VS DODGERS

October 11, 2021

Will Smith

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. Yesterday Max Scherzer, when he spoke with us, he talked about some of the adjustments he's been making mechanically. What did you notice from him in his last start in the postseason and what do you expect to see from him today?

WILL SMITH: Yeah, his last start the first couple innings was a little not himself and then made the adjustment mid-game in the third, fourth, fifth inning. Kind of got back on track to more himself. And, yeah I expect a really good start out of him today and it should be a fun one.

Q. You shared the clubhouse and worked with Alex Wood in the past. How do you describe him? How good is he and what makes him a challenge for this game?

WILL SMITH: Yeah, Woody, he knows what he's doing. He does his homework. Works really fast. He tries to cause a little anxiety to the batter. For us, just slow him down, getting something over the middle of the plate, not chasing too much and driving the ball.

Q. There was a baseball executive on a podcast who was talking about the advantages the Dodgers have, and one of them was that they treat their minor league players well, they pay them well, comparatively. There's been a lot of talk about how they are treated throughout baseball. I know you weren't in the minors that long, but could you get an impression as who how you guys were being treated as opposed to players from other organizations?

WILL SMITH: My experience the few years I was in the minors with the Dodgers was great. The coaching staff is all about the players, trying to make each guy better, and eventually help the big league team win. And, yeah, I mean, they truly helped develop players down there.

Q. I know you've seen Alex in a Giants uniform already, but is it strange at all in this setting to see a guy that, obviously you guys know really well?

WILL SMITH: I mean, yes and no. He's friends with a lot of us and it's going to be fun going up against him in a big game.

And, yeah, he's going to come out and compete and we're going to do the same, and that's, it's going to play out how it's going to play out.

Q. We're going to talk with Tony Gonsolin a little later. Wondering what you saw from him after his second IL stint, how he sort of responded after missing time with the shoulder.

WILL SMITH: Yeah, he's looked good recently. His velo is up. His command's been a lot better. Tomorrow he'll, I think he's getting the ball tomorrow and he should come out and give us some quality innings and I expect a good start from him tomorrow.

Q. Just kind of going back to Max Scherzer for a second, how is it that for you to work with somebody who comes in in the middle of the season or toward the end of the season? He was such a good fit for this team, why do you think that is?

WILL SMITH: I think he's a competitor and what we want to do here is win and he has that same goal, so it just fits right in. He's going to help us win and we want to win. It's how he goes about his work. It's how prepared he is, how hard he works. Ultimately that's what gains respect of the team and going out on the field and doing the, doing what needs to be done.