NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS PHILLIES

October 18, 2023

Brandon Pfaadt

Chase Field

Arizona Diamondbacks

Workout Day Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We're going to get started with Brandon Pfaadt.

Q. With your performance last start against the Dodgers and being in this situation with the ballpark and the atmosphere that was created by the fans, how did that prepare you for what's coming tomorrow night?

BRANDON PFAADT: Yeah, I think the ballpark and the fans play a big factor. I think when you look at Philadelphia, it was pretty extreme. In the DS it was extreme when we played here, so I think kind of bringing the momentum on our side and getting our fans on our side is going to be big for us.

Q. How would you just describe kind of the mood or the vibe of the team right now after those first two games?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think our heads are still strong. I think we believe we can do it. We can get three games back or tied up within two and get right back on track.

Q. It's clear that the Phillies present a significant challenge with their lineup. What do you think is the toughest part in approaching them?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think they're a good lineup. They're hot right now. We went through Milwaukee's lineup. We went through the Dodgers' lineup. So I thinking we can hold our own. I think if we show that coming into our ballpark and limiting damage, getting the momentum on our side, I think we can come out on the strong end.

Q. Have you received any advice from some of the veteran pitchers in the clubhouse on how to pitch in scenarios like this?

BRANDON PFAADT: Yeah, I think that's been pretty much all year. I think we have a good core of young guys and old guys that kind of blend together. It's been said before.

Taking that advice from the older guys, like Zac and Merrill especially, has been huge for the younger guys and the younger starters. Then you have the relievers kind of in the same boat.

I think taking their advice and knowing how to game plan, how to adjust to certain circumstances has been key for everybody, especially Merrill and Zac. Kind of just taking their advice and rolling with it.

Q. Do you expect tomorrow night that you could have a longer leash than you have just because it could be the first of three straight games and obviously you could have gone longer last time?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think so. We'll see how tomorrow goes. I haven't been told anything, but I'm going to give it my best and go as long as I can.

Q. It's almost like this playoff run has been kind of a microcosm of the season so far where you guys got off to a great start in the regular season and then had a lull and kind of fought your way back. Can that help in a situation like this where you guys know, okay, we've been hot, we haven't been hot, and then we've battled back?

BRANDON PFAADT: Yeah, I think we've gone through adversity in the regular season before, and we know how to bounce back. And that's what we're going to plan on doing tomorrow, and like I said, get that momentum back on our side in our home ballpark and see if we can make a run.

Q. What was the key to snapping out of that streak in late July, early August? Was it not talking about it or getting too tight? How did you guys get out of that?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think we had a few team meetings at that time, and kind of just relaxing, playing our game, and trusting our ability on both ends of the ball. I think coming together, and we kind of saw the light at the end of the tunnel and were able to relax and reset kind of and play our game.

Q. Torey was in here earlier, and he said he has team-meetinged you guys out at this point. After last night were there players that spoke up, or is it just an unspoken understanding of everybody knows kind of what we need to do to turn this around?

BRANDON PFAADT: Everybody knows what we need to do, and it wasn't -- nobody spoke or anything. And I think everybody in the clubhouse feels strong and feels confident moving forward into these next few games, and we know what we need to do.

Q. Obviously it's been a roller coaster for you going up and down, and now you're pitching in Game 3 of the NLCS for the D-backs. How much did it mean to you to have that trust from Torey to be in this position?

BRANDON PFAADT: It means a lot. I've said it before. Going up and down, they said that I would pitch in meaningful games going forward at the end of the season, and that's where we are right now. So I'm grateful and ready to take the opportunity to the fullest.