NL DIVISION SERIES: BREWERS VS BRAVES

October 9, 2021

Max Fried

Tyler Matzek

American Family Field

Atlanta Braves

Postgame 2 Press Conference

Braves - 3, Brewers - 0

Q. Tyler, just tell us how, what you thought of Max's effort tonight?

TYLER MATZEK: It was unbelievable. He's been doing it for the last month and a half, actually for the last half of the season. He's been going out there, going deep in the games. And it's helping the pen set up so we know what we need to do when he's out of the game. We have our roles and we're not sitting there scrambling. We know what we need to do. He's setting the table for us.

Q. You dropped that 0-2 on Taylor and you're walking off the field. And you find out it's a (indiscernible). You didn't really react, as you could have. How do you keep yourself cool in that moment to then come back and throw another slider, maybe even a better slider, to get the strikeout to end the inning?

TYLER MATZEK: I was just reacting to what Travis was doing. I saw him going, it was, like, cool, a strike. When he started walking back I was, like, all right, guess not. So I knew the job was still needed to get done. So I just thought, what are we going to do right here. And just threw a good slider.

Q. So it's not hard to recalibrate there and cool yourself down and --

TYLER MATZEK: No, I'm still in compete mode right there. I'm not done until someone tells me out of the game. I've got to keep that mindset going at 100 miles an hour all the time, keep it going, stay focused.

Q. Max, you had a game at the end of July against the Mets. It was actually the last one you lost, but you only gave up two runs in seven innings. You gave up four hits in one inning, got out of it. You said something in the past you would have tried to miss bats after that. Has that approach, pitching to contact, not trying to strike everybody out, is that something you carried through this period here?

MAX FRIED: Yeah. I think a big part of what I've been doing is just trying to really just keep guys off balance. It's -- before I would try to miss bats and I would try to be too fine and now I'm trying attack in the zone and get weak contact.

If I can get a weak contact, get a ground ball, for me that's a win. If I get a strike-out, then it's just icing on the cake.

Q. Has that allowed you to go deeper in the game?

MAX FRIED: Absolutely.

Q. Max, you had a game couple weeks ago you had just lost to the Padres at the start of the day, (indiscernible) division league strengthened, you throw a three-hitter that night. What's your approach when you're pitching when the team is coming off the loss and it's kind of a must-win situation like they were in tonight?

MAX FRIED: Not trying to do too much. Not trying to, kind of like I said before, before I would be trying to make the perfect pitch. Now I know that me and Travis are working really well together. And I really trust what he puts down. And when I shake he trusts that I've got a reason for it.

It's more being able to have that really good relationship and having really good communication. And kind of like I said, just going out there and executing the pitch. Just trying to get ground balls, keep us in the game. Not give that guy the free base on a walk.

So we have a really good, really talented offense, in the outfield and infield, especially in the infield. If I can get that ball on the ground and let those guys work, it's a lot better for me.

Q. You lose the game last night. Is your feeling after that game going into this start any different? Do you feel pressure? Do you sleep less knowing you're down 1-0?

MAX FRIED: I think there's always going to be some anxiety or some nervousness about it. I get butterflies before the game. But you just try to focus and realize that this is the same game we've been playing all year.

The stakes might be a little bit higher, but to go out there and make the pitch that you're supposed to make, that's going to trump all. For me to just go out there and simplify it as much as I can and attack the glove and stay on the attack rather than nibble, that was the only thought I had.

Q. Tyler, given what he did in San Francisco when you got down to a half game, then San Diego five days later and tonight, would you call Max the stopper or your stopper right now?

TYLER MATZEK: I'd call him the best starter in the second half, best starter going down the stretch. A guy that's been absolutely dominating games that we need to win. And I mean we trust him as a team. We want him to go another inning. Understood that he did his job. But I think this guy has more in the tank. I think he could do something real special as we go down the stretch.

Q. Max, I think you had 81 pitches after the sixth. Did you want to keep going or did you understand why Snit took you out?

MAX FRIED: In the moment, I don't pay attention to the pitch count. I don't try to look at it. I am ready to pitch until Snit comes over and says it's done or takes the ball out of my hand. Then I'm done.

You can sit there and try to figure it out, but for me, it's just a lot easier, when Snit says that I'm done, I'm done. And I was good with that.

Q. Tyler, last year you pitched great in the postseason, not in front of any fans. I'm wondering pitching those two innings there, working out of a couple of jams, is your heartbeat any different with 40,000 kind of rooting against you and you're having to dial in?

TYLER MATZEK: Obviously there's some, a little bit more anxiety going on. But it's the same game, like he was saying. It's the same game -- 60 feet, 6 inches. I'm going to go out there, throw strikes. Doesn't matter if everyone's yelling against me or for me. My job is to go out there, see Travis, throw the ball to Travis and get outs.

So the situation with it being the playoffs, fans are here, they're loud, honestly, I think it gives energy to all the players and you kind of see the best of all players.

And I'm just grateful to have them back, honestly. After going through a whole season without them last year, it was not fun.

Q. Now going back, best of two of three. What does that mean for this team [inaudible]?

MAX FRIED: Kind of like you said, it's the best-of-three series now. We've got two at home. So we like our chances. Obviously we like playing at home. So we're going to go back to Atlanta, and get ready for this stretch and try to win the best two out of three.

TYLER MATZEK: I'm just excited to hear a playoff tomahawk chop, honestly. I'm sure it's going to be a great atmosphere. I hope all the fans are coming out and ready to cheer. I'm looking forward to it.

MAX FRIED: 100 percent.