WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - ISRAEL VS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

March 14, 2023

Ian Kinsler

LoanDepot Park

Team Israel

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Obviously, the big news of the day, Garrett Stubbs being replaced by CJ (Stubbs). What are you looking to see from CJ? I saw that he was in the starting lineup. What are you looking to see from him just overall play?

IAN KINSLER: Well, I mean, he is catching and hitting for us, so I guess that says what I think. He has had a very good spring in camp with the Astros, and hopefully he steps right in and seamlessly adjusts to the game tonight.

Q. With Jacob Steinmetz, what to you would be a successful outing for him against a lineup such as the Dominican Republic's lineup?

IAN KINSLER: I don't know. That's a good question. I think obviously pounding the strike zone and not hurting himself with walks I think would probably be successful. If he forces the other team to swing the bat to produce whatever they can, then I'm fine with that. As long as he is being aggressive and, you know, pounding the strike zone is probably the best way to go about it.

Q. Is he on any pitch limit other than the 65?

IAN KINSLER: I'm not sure at this point.

Q. Ian, do you have a chance to talk with your players about yesterday's game? How do you see their attitude for today?

IAN KINSLER: Yeah. Everyone knows that this is a crazy tournament, right? Anything can happen, so today is definitely a different game than it was yesterday.

We're obviously going to have to play a good game. Hopefully yesterday with the results that happened and the way the game went, hopefully it was a learning experience for everybody, and we can come out playing a little bit better baseball to start.