NL WILD CARD SERIES: PADRES VS CUBS

September 30, 2025

Fernando Tatis

Wrigley Field

San Diego Padres

Pregame Press Conference

Q. We obviously know that you've had success in the postseason. I'm wondering what particularly do you like about playing on the postseason stage?

FERNANDO TATÍS: Man, starting with the energy. Obviously just the environment itself. Then after all this, it's like, you're either winning or going home. I ain't trying to go on vacation yet.

Q. What do you make of this offense the last week or so and the way it's kind of come together, and can that matter going into the postseason? Obviously it's a different game in the postseason, but do you think that can carry into October?

FERNANDO TATÍS: I feel like it definitely matters, especially creating that confidence going to the end of the season, which is really big, and I feel like we have created a good momentum just going into the playoff as an offense.

Q. What's it been like playing all season long with expectations of getting back to the postseason? How does the postseason experience of this group help you guys moving forward?

FERNANDO TATÍS: I mean, that's kind of what we want as a group, that expectation, and obviously making it to the playoff is even more important. But it's a really special group of guys coming together for one mission. I feel like that's the best part, when you're playing to win it all.

Q. Looking back now, how different was it playing in front of fans last October as opposed to 2020 when it was still intense but you had empty stadiums?

FERNANDO TATÍS: It's definitely different. The fans make all the difference in the world, especially a roaring stadium. That's what you want. That's what you want to feel. Having a huge crowd, that's a different game changer.

Q. What are some of the unique challenges of playing the outfield in this ballpark, particularly in the daytime?

FERNANDO TATÍS: Sun, wind, fans (chuckling), all that comes together, but it's going to be a fun time here in Chicago, so I'm just looking forward to it. But yeah, definitely the sun and the wind playing together is definitely a factor.

Q. You had a stress reaction you were playing through last October. Looking back, how do you think you were able to have so much success despite that, and right now would you say you're 100 percent?

FERNANDO TATÍS: I'm just taking care of my body. Different season, you just keep learning from yourself as a player, as your body reacts too. But I feel like we have found a good way how to keep myself healthy, and looking forward to more years of that.

Q. Would you say you're 100 percent or as close to it as you can be this year right now?

FERNANDO TATÍS: Yeah. Yeah. Pretty up there.

Q. Back to the outfield thing, what advice might you give somebody who maybe hasn't played a ton of outfield here in terms of that stuff? Are there any things to do that can keep you in a better position?

FERNANDO TATÍS: Just simple stuff, like yesterday we practiced at game time and we were seeing how the sun was playing. So just good communication in the outfield is going to be really huge, especially fly balls in between. You just don't give up on anything because the wind is just a really big factor over here. It's attention to details.

Q. You've played on all different postseason stages. Do you have a sense of what it's going to be like here at Wrigley, the environment for this?

FERNANDO TATÍS: It's up there. It's one of the best experiences you can get as a player, playoffs and Wrigley. It's really special, especially knowing all the history this ballpark has. Just looking forward to it.

Q. I noticed you and A.J. and Luis kind of taking in Wrigley Field from the seats a short time ago. Speak to the messaging from your GM through the ups and downs of this long season?

FERNANDO TATÍS: He has our back no matter what. He has created a culture over here, and he's a person to embrace it. He's just definitely a great leader, and just talking about the opportunity that we have being over here, playoff baseball, like I mentioned earlier, at Wrigley is one of the best experiences you can get as a baseball player, as a front office. It doesn't matter what part of the team you are. It's just a really special moment, and we're just enjoying it together.