NL DIVISION SERIES: BRAVES VS DODGERS

October 3, 2026

Lane Thomas

Dodger Stadium

Atlanta Braves

Pregame 1 Press Conference

Q. I know it's been closing in on a month here since you've been back in the lineup. What's it been like for you gearing up for this? When the trade went down, so much of it was great against lefties. Here's an opportunity.

LANE THOMAS: For sure. I've obviously been traded before, so I was used to that part of it. Obviously the injury kind of delayed that a little bit, me getting back on the field. I feel good. I feel as prepared as I can be in that short time on the IL.

Yeah, just glad that they were able to help me get back in time.

Q. It was obviously a late night Thursday, and to get all the way out here, what was your timeline since then to get here and get rested and all that?

LANE THOMAS: I kind of just had to check some boxes to make sure I could withhold the workload. Did that yesterday, took some live at-bats, took a later flight out and got here last night.

Q. After the monthlong injury layoff, how do you kind of mentally prepare to step right back into playoff baseball?

LANE THOMAS: These games are tough. You expect to go out and just have success, but you're facing the best teams in the league. I feel like it's just kind of freeing a little bit. You're not playing for the stats. The season's over, you can kind of just go out and do your best.

It feels like summer baseball as a kid again. It was pretty cool the last time I got to play in the playoffs, it's freeing. The one goal is winning. It takes the pressure off of trying to perform yourself and just doing what you can to help the team get over the hump.

Q. I know that you were not teammates with Kris Bubic of the Dodgers for too long there, but did you guys stay in touch? If you stayed close, is it kind of weird that you're potentially on opposite sides of this series now?

LANE THOMAS: Yeah, he's a great dude. I know he had some difficulties this year just with health, and it's cool to see him back. It was a struggle for him to get back when we were in Kansas City, and I'm just glad he's healthy.

Q. You were in the AL Central all those years. What makes Skubal so tough to face?

LANE THOMAS: I think it's just you don't see a guy who throws so hard consistently with that much control. It seems like he has really good command of his fastball. He's got three, I feel like, pretty plus pitches. I don't know if righties have a ton of success off him either.

I liked competing against him those last few years over there, and it's cool to see him.

Q. Speaking of summer baseball, it should be a little warm today. Going back even to playing in Tennessee, what are some things you try to be mindful of when you're playing in a game with this sort of weather?

LANE THOMAS: I feel like just staying hydrated is the most important part. I feel like this is a little cooler 98 than Atlanta. So I think our guys will be prepared for it.