NL WILDCARD GAME: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

September 28, 2026

Matt Olson

Truist Park

Atlanta Braves

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Matt, what's that feeling when you are able to send a true ace -- there aren't many true aces in this game -- but a guy like Chris Sale out there for Game 1?

MATT OLSON: Yeah, it's a great feeling. He's been nothing short of amazing for us. I mean, you guys have heard me talk about him, just the teammate and the pitcher and the bulldog he is on the mound. You know, I wouldn't want anybody else taking the hill for us tomorrow.

Q. What are the challenges of facing Luzardo?

MATT OLSON: You know, obviously good stuff. You know, he's got a good mix. You know, he's coming back from an injury, so see how many pitches he can go. You know, having played with him in Oakland I know he'll probably be ready to push through any sort of feeling.

You know, it's going to be a good battle. He got us last time in Philly, and you know, hopefully we get him tomorrow.

Q. How important is it to have somebody like Ronald Acuña just swinging the bat the way he to end the year, and will he carry it into the postseason?

MATT OLSON: Meantime, he's one of the most electric players in the game, somebody who can truly change the game in every facet, at the plate, on the bases, in the field. Not a lot of people you can say across the board can be that person. Whether he's leading off or in the two hole, he's somebody at the top of the lineup that can get things rolling quick for us.

Q. A lot of facets of this game that all add up to winning, but the bullpen that you guys have, how much faith do you have in this group, particularly looking at the depth and the quality of that depth of some of the biggest outs you're going to face this year?

MATT OLSON: They've kept us in a lot of games this year. They've won us a lot of games this year. Adding Suarez back too from injury is great. Guys like Dodd, adding Suter, obviously Iggy and D Lee and Fuentes. I'm going through names right now, and it feels like all guys who have been a big part for us here this year at this point. I know they're ready to rock.

Q. Chris talked about keeping the blinders on and playing the game like you've always played the game even though it's playoff year time. How can you do that with the importance of how critical Game 1 is in a short series?

MATT OLSON: I think you just play your game. There is going to be enough internally that, you know, gets you going. The crowd is going to be electric, so you don't have to -- you don't make it anything bigger for yourself. The adrenaline is going to be pumping. The way you approach it is treat it like a normal day. Treat your routines the same. Go about your work and kind of feed off the energy in the building.

Q. Does facing the Phillies twice down the stretch, do you think that helps you guys? What are your thoughts on it being sort of the rivalry the first round?

MATT OLSON: Man, obviously it's a good team over there. I think I was telling Mark yesterday, it seems fitting to run into them.

We got a lot of respect for them. Solid team. You know, it's a matchup that we always kind of look forward to just because you know they're going to be competitive. So it's good. Hopefully we come out and get on them quick, but you know, you're always excited for the matchups against good teams, and obviously we get into the postseason, you're running into a lot of good teams and playing them a couple of times down the stretch.

There's a little more familiarity than maybe seasons prior where, you know, you play them a little earlier in the season, so it will be good.

Q. You guys have had a lot of success from the (indiscernible) games. What goes into delivering in those high-leverage situations?

MATT OLSON: I think it sometimes just kind of becomes your DNA a little bit as the season goes on. It's not like it's something that you can point to. It's not like you try harder or, you know, change anything in those scenarios.

I think sometimes it's just, you know, when it comes time to put up or shut up, some guys kind of show up and rise to the occasion.

Q. You and Michael have had what seems to be a fun season together. Both of you making big contributions to this team. How primed do you feel like he is for this time, and how far he has come in one year to really be one of the team's top performers?

MATT OLSON: Yeah, I've said before, if Ronald Acuña is not on the field, I think Mike Harris is the most talented person on that field. He's another guy I can say replace his name with Ronald with everything I said earlier. Able to change the game in so many facets.

He's kind of taken, I feel like, kind of next step just as being a pro and kind of thinking the game a little bit. Those are things that come with time and experience.

Everybody kind of goes through that shift at some point, but man, he's a hell of a player. He can do some special things.

Q. I know playoff baseball is just a completely different animal. How do you describe when it's playoff baseball and it's the Phillies?

MATT OLSON: Man, it's what you play for. You play for 162 games to get a shot to be in the postseason when every game, every pitch kind of counts. I know the fact that it's the Phillies is a great storyline for you guys, but you know, if it was anybody, it would mean the same to us.

The playoff baseball, it's, like I've said, top competition, fighting for a trophy. That's why it's the most fun.

Q. How important has Dubon been to this team?

MATT OLSON: Really important. Great baseball mind, great player. The ability to switch positions, you know, helping Walt shift some things around based off matchups. You know, a guy who can play left field and jump to third base midgame is not something that you can find all the time and to be able to go up and put a pro at-bat together, somebody who can bunt, slash, hit a homer, run the bases well.

I've been really impressed this year with just how good of an all-around ballplayer he is.

Q. Matt, there's been some things on social media about your home run reactions that, they're really tranquil. What can we expect to see if per chance you do hit a clutch moment? Do you think that your energy will be a little bit different or just same thing, same baseball game?

MATT OLSON: No clue. I don't know. I haven't preplanned any of my celebrations ever, so I guess we'll just have to see.