NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS PHILLIES

October 23, 2023

Brandon Pfaadt

Citizens Bank Park

Arizona Diamondbacks

Pregame 6 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: First question for Brandon.

Q. During the game the other night, Rob Thomson was interviewed midgame, and he thought, well, maybe they could get to you the second or third time around because they hadn't seen you before. He was emphasizing the unfamiliarity aspect of it. Obviously without revealing any secrets, have you been working on any sequencing adaptations or changes to kind of make sure that they don't feel too familiar with you tomorrow?

BRANDON PFAADT: Compared to the first time?

Q. Yes.

BRANDON PFAADT: We'll probably -- can't really reveal my whole game plan. That's kind of a secret. But we're just going to keep attacking them, keep being aggressive, and be cautious of the home run hitters. I know that's been a problem. And kind of work the game plan around that.

Q. If you do get the opportunity, just what would it mean to you to be on the mound with a chance to give your team a ticket to the World Series?

BRANDON PFAADT: It would mean a lot. I think being in the position to start Game 7, I think that would be huge. Especially as a rookie.

I think I'm going to give it my all, give it all to the team and try to come out with a win tomorrow.

Q. Is it weird at all preparing and going through all your routines and everything for a start that you don't know if it's going to happen?

BRANDON PFAADT: Yeah, I've never done that before, honestly. We're just kind of treating it like there's a guaranteed game tomorrow, and we're going to be ready for any circumstance to play tomorrow. That's kind of how my game planning is going. Just treating it like that's a guarantee.

Q. You've never had a situation like this?

BRANDON PFAADT: No, I don't think so. Not that I can recall.

Q. Two questions for you: The first is, what has been the biggest difference for you these last couple of starts versus middle of the season? Answer that first, and then I'll give you another one.

BRANDON PFAADT: I think just it being more meaningful games, I think you game plan a little more. You have a little more edge going out there, and you know that it's a must-win game.

I think that's where the competitive nature comes in. I think that's kind of my only answer for the results that have happened.

Q. That just spurred another question. Is it that hard to replicate the meaning of these games in the middle of the season to get you to lock in that much more?

BRANDON PFAADT: I'm kind of confused on your question.

Q. I guess what I'm saying is, you can't just turn on the meaning of a game in the --

BRANDON PFAADT: Compared to the regular season games?

Q. Right.

BRANDON PFAADT: I think, yeah, that's kind of -- you want to treat them the same, but at the end of the day, you know it's more important.

Like I said, that's where a competitive nature comes out, and you're ready to roll in these postseason games a little more for your team. Not only for yourself, but for your team. I think that's kind of the difference there.

Q. The actual second question is, what's the most impressive thing to you about Gabi Moreno?

BRANDON PFAADT: There's a lot of them. I said it before. When you watch Gabi play, it's like he is not a rookie. You would think he's a multi-year vet in the way he plays, the way he calls a game, his presence back there behind the plate. He's incredible.

I think he's got all the tools at the plate and behind the plate. I think the most impressive is holding runners and being able to throw them out at any time.

Q. Where do you feel like your confidence level is right now, and how does that maybe manifest itself in results?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think my confidence is pretty high. I try to keep it pretty steady. I think that's kind of where people struggle is when their confidence dips too low or too high. I've always been taught to keep it even-keel, and that's kind of the way I try to keep it.

So it's high right now, but I try to keep it the same throughout the whole season and in the postseason.

Q. How do you do that? After two games like you just pitched, how do you not just feel on top of the world with the way that you're pitching?

BRANDON PFAADT: I don't know. It's just kind of -- I think repetitions and having those downfalls and then having the uprising, I think you kind of learn to keep it even-keel. And that's kind of how I was raised and how I was taught going from high school to college to pro ball.

Q. Have there been times this season where Zac and Merrill have helped you either with advice or help with certain pitches?

BRANDON PFAADT: Yeah, pretty much the whole year. Right when I got called up, I tried to pick their brain. I'm kind of a visual learner anyway. I'll sit down there and watch their bullpen and see how they do their work.

I know I've said it before, but I asked Merrill a few things, some tips on game planning. And that's what I've used to kind of up my game and up my routine going in into starts and asking both of them questions.

I think it's been awesome having both of those guys be able to lead not only myself, but other guys, other rookies. They've been great.