NL DIVISION SERIES: PADRES VS BREWERS

October 2, 2026

Robbie Ray

American Family Field

San Diego Padres

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. This is a Brewers lineup that puts a lot of pressure on you. What do you make of the challenge that you face tomorrow against these guys?

ROBBIE RAY: Obviously, a really good ballclub. I have to stick to my game plan and kind of be willing to adapt as well. I think especially with the hitters that they have, they're really good at putting the ball in play.

For me, it's just relying on my defense and just pitching my best game.

Q. What was your reaction when you found out you were getting the start in Game 1, and what was the first thing that went through your head when you started to game plan? Without telling us all your secrets.

ROBBIE RAY: I was excited. I was excited to get Game 1. Super thrilled for the opportunity and the trust that this team has put into me, that Craig has put into me.

Just kind of went over some previous games that I've pitched against these guys and seen some things that I've done well, some things that I can improve on, and go from there.

Q. I know you've pitched hundreds of games, but your last start against the Dodgers, the way that they're pretty relentless, fouled off a lot of balls, you attacked the strike zone, only three and a third innings, what do you take from that, seemed like one of your better outings in terms of managing the game?

ROBBIE RAY: I feel like my stuff was really good that day. Like you said, they fouled off a lot of balls. They made me work for it.

I expect no less from this ballclub. The biggest thing is setting the tone, coming out early and setting the tone throwing strikes, getting ahead of guys.

I think for me, it will be a very similar attack. It's just one of those things where it's like you've got to get -- like I said, trust your defense. Make them put the ball in play and see what happens.

Q. Your postseason experience, what's the biggest thing you've learned about the difference in competing at this stage versus the regular season?

ROBBIE RAY: I think the biggest thing, you have a game plan, but you've got to be willing to change because anything can happen in the postseason.

I think for me, you have a general idea of what you want to do. But it is the postseason. It is a five-game series. It's a lot different than a 162-game season. So you have to be willing to make adjustments in game and go from there.

Q. You've been traded a few times, but what does it take to acclimate the way you have coming down the stretch, what's it like coming from one clubhouse to another and being able to fit in like yourself?

ROBBIE RAY: Thankfully, there's a couple of guys that I've played with previously on this team. So it made it a little bit easier. Obviously playing against these guys for a long time, being in the NL West, I faced these guys a lot.

They made me feel welcome from day one, and it was really cool how they brought me in and just made me feel like I was a part of the team.

Q. What do you like the most about pitching in these high-pressure, big spotlight games?

ROBBIE RAY: I think everything gets magnified. It's a lot of fun: The stadium, the atmosphere, the fans, everything. Like I said, it's postseason baseball. Everything is different. It's the sprint. It's not the long grind of 162-game season. It's the sprint to the finish. I think to me, those are some of the funnest games.

Q. As a left-hander controlling the running game maybe a little bit easier for from you that side. When you have a team that likes to run like this, how important is that? How much of a focus do you put on it?

ROBBIE RAY: Obviously, a team that likes to run, you've got to be cognizant of it. You have to be aware of the guys that are going to run, that are going to look to take some early bases. So that's definitely part of the game plan going into the game. Being a little quicker to the plate, maybe, mixing up your times, doing some step-offs. You only get two now. Making sure that in those two that you get, you're putting in a quality pick-off there where it's not just a B move, it's an A move.

Q. It being the postseason, there's obviously always a chance you could have like come into the Wild Card series game or all-hands-on-deck kind of thing, to be starting the game, kind of being in your traditional role, what benefit does that give you?

ROBBIE RAY: I think the biggest thing is the routine of the start. Going into the Wild Card, being in the bullpen, it's one of those things you don't know if you're going to get into the game, and there's also some fun to that as well. You kind of have to always be ready.

But with a start, for me, it's one of those things where that routine of a start, you have it planned out from the time that you get to the field, the time you start stretching, the time that you go out to start throwing. I think that routine of a starter is the biggest difference between the two, and it's one of those things that you kind of know going into it what to expect.