NL WILDCARD GAME: DODGERS VS CARDINALS

October 5, 2021

Justin Turner

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. The fight to try to win the division until the very end of the season, do you think just the competitiveness of this team is hard to play in? Do you think it's a benefit and helping you play your best baseball right now?

JUSTIN TURNER: Yeah, I think it definitely helps. We've had years in the past where we've clinched the division pretty early in the season and then gone through some lulls. There was some concern about the way we were going about it playing, like getting ready going into the playoffs.

Obviously, that wasn't the case this year. It was meaningful games all the way down to the wire, and the way we responded, the way we played has been -- I certainly think that should bode well going into this playoff game.

Q. I know you've talked about the changes you've made in your diet to be an everyday player this year. Having done that, how do you feel about where you're at right now in the season and just how you're feeling?

JUSTIN TURNER: I feel great. I feel like I accomplished what I was trying to do for the most part. Other than a couple games in New York, my goal was to be available for Doc to use me every day this year. I came pretty darn close to doing that.

Q. How tough is losing Muncy for this game and moving forward?

JUSTIN TURNER: Obviously, he's the cornerstone of our offense. The at-bat quality, we're certainly going to miss, but we still have a pretty dynamic lineup, and I think the best way to look at it is an opportunity for someone else to step up and take it.

I feel terrible for him and what happened. Obviously, he was prepared to be a big part of this postseason run we were going to have, but he's already texted all the guys. He's going to be right there doing everything he can to help us win, whether it's cheerleading or hanging around the cage or whatever. He's still in it with us, and that won't be lost on us.

Q. The core group of guys kind of evolved in maturity and confidence, like you saw in Game 7 last year against the Braves?

JUSTIN TURNER: I think there's a ton of postseason experience in our room. Being basically the same, we've had a lot of guys who have been through it before. That helps the mentality going into it and knowing what's at stake and knowing how to prepare and knowing that you've got to play 27 outs and take advantage of every opportunity you can.

Q. And I know you had some success in 2019 against Max, but what do you remember about facing Scherzer in the playoffs?

JUSTIN TURNER: Facing Scherzer any time, it doesn't matter if it's the playoffs or regular season game, he's one of the best competitors in baseball. He goes out there year in and year out from the time he takes the ball with something to prove. There's nothing different for tomorrow night.

Q. Justin, on that note, when you look at Kershaw and Scherzer, the way they go about things in terms of their mentality, what do you see in common, and what do you see different?

JUSTIN TURNER: Two very similar competitors. They're great guys in the clubhouse and enjoy being around guys and having fun, but when it's start day, you see a whole 'nother animal. It's all about business. It's all about going out and competing.

Scherzer's the same way. Kersh is the same way. That's kind of how I think they're so successful. They just know how to lock it in and go out and compete.

Once they do their job and their job's over, then they go back to being that fun, exciting, goofball teammate that they are for the other four days. Very, very similar between the two of them.

Q. Does Scherzer give off that same "stay away from me" vibe?

JUSTIN TURNER: Absolutely. Absolutely. I think everyone saw him tell Don not to touch him on his first start as a Dodger. So we learn fast over here.

Q. What conversations have you had in recent days, and how do you digest knowing he's probably not going to be with you guys for a while?

JUSTIN TURNER: Obviously, that's not the way any of us wanted to see him walk off the mound at Dodger Stadium, knowing what's in the future and knowing very well possibly could have been the last time, hopefully not. But he's with us in spirit.

Same with Muncy. He's going to be here with us for the whole ride and doing whatever he can to help us out and cheer us on and try to help us accomplish winning another championship.

Q. (Indiscernible) how valuable is seeing that so recently?

JUSTIN TURNER: I think familiarity certainly helps going into these things, but also the game plan is more in depth than for a regular season game. Again, Waino is a competitor as well. He wouldn't be doing what he's doing at his age if he wasn't. So it will be a challenge for us, and we'll plan to beat him.

Q. Justin, how important was it for your offense to pick up at the right time?

JUSTIN TURNER: It's good to be playing well going into the playoffs and having a good feeling. The offense are good. Our starters have been great. The bullpen has basically carried us all season long. For the offense the last two, three weeks to kind of start finding its stride is certainly more promising than if we were not.

Q. They talked about how Corey was locked in last year in October. It's been similar to that this time. When he's locked in like this, what stands out to you about his at-bats?

JUSTIN TURNER: He's just fun to watch. I think what separates him from last year in the postseason and what he's doing now to the Corey in the past is he's staying in the strike zone and he's taking walks. We saw that in the postseason as well. He took his walks when she didn't throw it over the plate.

Q. Where do you feel like your swing is right now? I know you said you're trying to figure out your timing lately. It seems like --

JUSTIN TURNER: I feel like I'm in a pretty good spot now. Things are feeling good.

Q. (Indiscernible) does it change during this time at all?

JUSTIN TURNER: Honestly, I don't think it changes too much. There's some guys in there playing cards. There's some guys in there trying to make some fantasy football trades right now (laughter).

This team is honing in when it's time to focus and spacing out when it's time to space out and let your mind relax. I think, especially postseason baseball, you're playing three, four hours out there. It's a mental grind, and you've got to be able to be in that compete mode. You've got to be able to let your mind relax a little bit. Otherwise, it's really tough.

Those three, four hours you're on the field, it's more of a mental exhaustion after games than it is physical.