NL WILDCARD GAME: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

September 29, 2026

Tyler Mahle

Truist Park

Atlanta Braves

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Tyler, how beneficial is it for you to have pitched in some big games, especially there in Philadelphia down the stretch here just to prepare you for what this postseason is going to be like?

TYLER MAHLE: Yeah, it was huge. I've thought about that the last few days. Those were really big games to take the division. I mean, I've never pitched in a playoff game, but I can't imagine it being too much crazier than that.

It's a big game that needed to be won. You need to perform. That's what playoff baseball is. You've got to go out and do your job. Yeah, we'll see, but those definitely helped.

Q. Having never pitched in the postseason, how are you going to harness your emotions tomorrow?

TYLER MAHLE: I think I'll be fine. Once you get on the mound, there might be some nerves before the game, but I kind of have those always. Once you get out there on the field, they go away, and it's just another game.

Q. What has this couple of months in a Braves uniform been like for you? Obviously the start with San Francisco wasn't everything you wanted but you're pitching some of the best baseball of your career with a chance to step into this postseason light for the first time.

TYLER MAHLE: Yeah, I mean, just simply put, they've just been amazing. I'm on a really good team that has a chance to do some special things. Like you said, I've been pitching well, so it's just been a fun last couple months.

Q. You've spoken about how special this team is. I'm assuming you mean talent, but at the same time, can you talk about that camaraderie in that clubhouse? I'm not saying it's the best you've ever been in because I don't want to downplay what you've experienced, but at the same time, is it special, the camaraderie they have in there?

TYLER MAHLE: Definitely. I mean, a lot of these guys have been here for a while. Some of them have been here since the last World Series and before that.

Everyone has just meshed together, one big family. So to be able to join it and be welcomed into it like I have, it's been awesome.

Yeah, the talent is there, and definitely the camaraderie.

Q. You've talked a lot about the arsenal, the game plan when you got here and what to focus on. How has that affected your comfort level going into this postseason?

TYLER MAHLE: Like what do you mean?

Q. When you got here, the plan in terms of cutting down pitch usage and things like that.

TYLER MAHLE: Gotcha.

I kind of started doing that -- not to downplay the Braves, but I kind of started doing that after I came off the IL. Kind of ditched the sweeper, less cutters, kind of pitched to my strengths.

But yeah, that's been huge to simplify it and go with my strengths, like I said. The fresh start obviously helped. But I had pitched a few good games before getting traded over here coming off the IL.

Going back to what I do best, I think, was huge for me.

Q. Every pitcher takes something with them from every pitching coach. You've sort of alluded to that before your trade just now. But what's the work been like with Hefner since you came over here?

TYLER MAHLE: It's been great. He was a pitcher, a player not too long ago, so that helps, the familiarity with the game and how it is today and the relationship.

But he gave me some things when I first got here, like the first day, and then it's just kind of been rolling since then. It's just been like little talks here and there. There hasn't been much really, just because I've been going out, I've been performing. And so there hasn't been a whole lot to work on.

But the relationship between me and him clicked right away, I think. I've told him what I wanted and he's able to give guys whatever they want. Like in the dugout, he didn't know if I wanted him to talk to me or give me anything during the game, and I'm like, give me anything you've got, seriously. And he's able to do that.

Yeah, he's a really easy guy to get along with and mesh with.

Q. What were those things that Hefner gave you on that first day?

TYLER MAHLE: Just pitch usage stuff. Pretty much telling me what I'm good at and what I should be doing more. That was basically it, yeah.

Q. How exciting is it to be able to get on this stage and be able to make a start in the postseason?

TYLER MAHLE: Super exciting. No other way to put it. Super excited to be here and have this opportunity.