NL DIVISION SERIES: BREWERS VS BRAVES

October 11, 2021

Ian Anderson

Dansby Swanson

Truist Park

Atlanta Braves

Postgame 3 Press Conference

Braves - 3, Brewers - 0

Q. Smoltz was saying the other day that Ian doesn't have a heartbeat. What do you see out there, does he continue to amaze you how young and inexperienced he is?

DANSBY SWANSON: I think throughout last year even, the first start was against the Yankees. No better way to throw a guy into the fire than to come up and throw against a club like that.

Every situation he's handled beautifully, even throughout this year with some of the adversity and the ups and downs and the little shoulder injury that had him on IL for a little bit. And to come back and really find his groove, especially towards the end and into the playoffs.

It's just remarkable to see a guy compete like that. That's what it comes down to the compete factor. I love being able to play behind him. Love having him on our team, obviously, and just joy a to watch and to see the growth each and every day.

Q. Could you describe what Joc is like as a teammate and when he comes in to pinch hit do you just expect him to have a big moment like that?

IAN ANDERSON: It's funny because we saw him last year at the end. And to have him now on our team, we're all ecstatic what he's been able to do from the personality he is and the big spots he's kind of stepped up in is something else. They say some guys are built for it. He's the epitome of that, I would say.

DANSBY SWANSON: I think the biggest compliment I've ever been able to give him is he's the same no matter the situation, no matter the day, no matter the time. Joc Pederson is Joc Pederson.

And it's such a joy. Like he brings so much energy to our team. I told him the other day that no environment ever dictates who he is. He's the same guy in every situation. And I feel like that's one of the reasons why he's so successful come this time of year.

Q. Dansby, you had high expectations with Charlie, Max and Ian coming into this. Now that you've seen what they've been able to do here, these three, how impressed would you say you've been and would you say they may be even better than you envisioned?

DANSBY SWANSON: No, I think that's the expectation around here. At this time of the year, you're as good as your pitching, your defense and your opportunistic hitting. And I feel we've been able to check all those boxes each and every game so far. They've been tremendous, just the preparation.

I'd be remiss if I didn't give Travis his due, too, because he's been on point with pitch calling, and these guys have been on point with their pitch execution. So the combination of the two really has been huge.

Like I said, Charlie in Game 1. And Max was light's out, too. And Ian today. And the rest of the bullpen as well. It's a team effort. Those guys have stepped up big time.

Q. Dansby, going back to what your pinch-hitter has done now twice in this series and the last several years with the Dodgers in the postseason is not coincidence, that a guy comes up like Joc has in those pressurized moments and does it again and again and again?

DANSBY SWANSON: I think the sample size is big enough, right, that that's just who he is. He was in an organization before coming here that obviously had high expectations, just like we do. And he was thrown into pressure situations the last five or six years.

And, like I said, it's important to have those guys on your team come this time of year that you can throw them into any situation and you expect them to be able to produce. And he just comes up with big at-bat after big at-bat. Like Ian said, I'm glad he's on our team.

Q. Ian, that fifth inning there, the runners on second and third, are you looking over your shoulder at all? Or are you thinking, this is my inning; I've got this? And Dansby, for you guys being in this situation the last couple of years, do you feel like that's helping you ride the highs and lows of what this time of year is?

IAN ANDERSON: I think when you have a defense behind you like we do, you know you're never out of an inning. You know that you've got a chance to get out of any jam. And I think they kind of showed that with the diving play he made.

That settles you down, without a doubt, getting the first out. But I wanted to get through that inning, get those three outs and just keep trying to make pitches. And Travis stayed with me. And the defense was phenomenal to get out of that inning.

And that for me was one of the turning points in the game. That's what we kind of pride ourselves on. And with the work they put in every day with Wash, you're not surprised with the plays they make.

DANSBY SWANSON: The only way to gain experience is to go through these kinds of moments. And we've been able to -- this is our fourth time in a row now doing it.

And in those moments, you just understand that each pitch, each play can determine a win and a loss. And to be able to stay locked in is something we've earned. It's not necessarily easy to do when we were younger just because those situations are so big. But I think each time we've gotten better.

And you can see that we've been able to improve each year at this point. But we know we've got to continue that tomorrow. You're only as good as next day's starter. You're only as good as the preparation for the next day. So tomorrow we'll come back, do the same thing, prepare like we always do, and go out and compete.

Q. Craig Counsell is saying that sometimes he thought the hitters were actually looking for the change-up. But it was so good today, they just couldn't get it. I'm wondering how you felt about it coming out of the bullpen and then that first inning and obviously throughout?

IAN ANDERSON: It was definitely a good pitch today for me. I saw Charlie and Max have the success with the big curveball. And that's kind of -- it's tempting to go to that. And that's not really my style.

So, yeah, the change-up was good. And that's the pitch I went to trying to get out of jams. And, like I said, with these guys behind you, you have the confidence to throw it. And Travis was putting it down. The confidence was there to throw it with conviction and see what happens.

Q. Dansby, when you see him throw a couple the first inning, and you see it's working well, are you saying today is a good day?

DANSBY SWANSON: I faced it the other day. It was the first time of ever seeing it. It's pretty frickin good. And I think today, kind of like how Craig had mentioned, even sometimes when you're looking at it, sometimes it's so good it's hard to square up. I feel the location is really the biggest thing.

And I feel like Ian was throwing it in good spots all day. And it's hard to hit when pitchers throw it where they want it even if you know it's coming. Or if you're looking for it, it's tough.

Q. Snit said everything is on the table as far as a starter, even Charlie on short rest. How do you feel about having Charlie on a short rest or as a clincher?

IAN ANDERSON: It would be awesome. His resume speaks for itself. What he's meant for the team, the mentorship he's given to me and Max and all of our starters, and just the calming presence he gives to the whole team has been huge. I think we'd love to have him out there.

Q. I know you both knew that Joc had a unique personality when he came to the team. But I'm curious what your first reaction was when you first saw him wearing pearls in the clubhouse and how that compares to maybe any other unique teammates you might have had through the years?

DANSBY SWANSON: As shocking as it was, it wasn't shocking.

IAN ANDERSON: That's a good way to put it.

DANSBY SWANSON: Like I said, Joc is Joc. And I love having him around. Like I said, I can't mention enough how much of a joy he's been to be here and to keep things light.

My one kind of personality comp was, similar to Donaldson just because J.D. was J.D. all the time. Joc is Joc all the time. And it's such a pleasure to have that around here and mix in with the different personalities that we have as well. So, we love Joc.