NL DIVISION SERIES: BREWERS VS BRAVES

October 9, 2021

Jorge Soler

Adam Duvall

American Family Field

Atlanta Braves

Pregame 2 Press Conference

Q. We talked about this, down the stretch, what those final weeks prepared you for the postseason when your backs were up against the wall with San Francisco, or when the division got to be a half game there, and the following week in San Diego. Do you think that will be beneficial now as you try to even up the series and is that what this season --

ADAM DUVALL: I think playing meaningful games down the stretch always helps and that pressure of having to win. It almost simulates postseason baseball, because now every game means a lot. So the pressure to win is on, and I think that probably helped us down the stretch.

Q. Adam, does the sense of urgency feel any different today? And Jorge for you, does it feel any different today coming here with knowing the season rides on kind of these next couple of games?

ADAM DUVALL: Yeah, I think every game there's a sense of urgency this time of year, because things can swing so quickly. And so I mean the biggest thing is to show up that day and do what you can to win that game and not worry about tomorrow's game or two days.

So I think the biggest thing is to show up and put your best foot forward and try and win the game today.

JORGE SOLER: I don't think there's any pressure. I think we're just extremely focused on winning today's game.

Q. I think you guys are 12-3 in Fried's last 15 outings. He was the best pitcher in the majors in the second half. Can you describe the confidence you have with him out there?

JORGE SOLER: I think we have all the confidence in him. And like you said, the second half of the season he was one of the best pitchers in baseball. Going with that, we have all the confidence in him.

Q. Adam, you've seen Max for a few years now. Could you just describe a little bit how he's evolved and improved from the first time you guys got to get to know him, play the behind him?

ADAM DUVALL: I think over the years he's matured in the fact that he game plans. I mean, he's in there now studying and getting ready for the game.

And I think Charlie's probably helped out a lot with that because he's big into that. And just being able to know how you want to go after guys and being able -- not only being able to know, okay, this is how I want to attack, but being able to do it and go out there and execute the plan. That's what he's been able to do on that stretch that we were just talking about.

And playing behind him, it's fun to watch, because he just goes right after guys. And it's fun to play behind those guys, because a lot of the times it ends up 0-1, 0-2. From a hitter's standpoint, it's really tough to hit in those pitcher's counts.

And just being able to work ahead of guys and get in front of guys is huge from that side of the ball. And it's been fun to watch.

Q. Can there be a better fit to having seen Woodruff earlier this year?

JORGE SOLER: Yeah, I don't think there's too much of an advantage as far as facing him earlier in the season. He's a really good pitcher. There are some things as far as seeing the way the ball comes out of his hand, just getting used to his throwing motion. But I think it's more focusing on how we execute our at-bats and just putting some good swings on the pitches that we're looking for.

Q. Out of this offense in general and you in particular, you guys have shown again and again you can go through a stretch of two or three games where you really don't do much at all and then explode and get three or four home runs. Do you think you could do that, the team and yourself, even with a little bit better pitching in the postseason that you face? Do you think this offense is capable of exploding at any moment?

ADAM DUVALL: Absolutely. We all kind of thrive off of each other. So I think we string a couple hits together and kind of get that rhythm going and that mojo going, and confidence is a big thing, especially in the postseason. And being here before and having to go through some of these things. I think once we string a couple together, I think we'll be just fine.

Q. Jorge, I think this is the first time since 2016 that you've been in the playoffs. In that '16 World Series run, you guys had to face adversity, down at first to the Dodgers, down at first to the Indians. You said there's no sense of urgency right now, but what did you learn from facing adversity in that 2016 World Series run maybe that you could take into this postseason run?

JORGE SOLER: It was a really good experience back in 2016. I definitely feel like I learned a lot. Like you said, being down to Cleveland and being able to come back. But I think the way you have to approach these things, you have to win one game at a time. You can't win them all at once. You have to focus on winning the game that you have in front of you on that day.

Q. You mentioned thriving off of each other. I know you and Soler came over at the same time. When you saw him moved up to that lead-off spot and start setting the tone for this team from the sideline, what have you learned about him -- I guess, I'm putting you on the spot with him sitting next to you -- but enjoying him as a teammate and all that?

ADAM DUVALL: I think once he moved into the lead-off spot, it put pressure on the pitcher from the get-go, because obviously he can leave the yard at any time, but he'll also work a walk. And I think setting the tone from batter number one is a big deal. It's right out of the get-go that pitcher's got to be very careful and not leave something over the middle that he can hit over the fence.

So from a mindset standpoint, from a lineup, I think that changed a lot whenever he moved to the number one spot.