AL DIVISION SERIES: MARINERS VS ASTROS

October 11, 2022

Ryan Pressly

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Pregame 1 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: First question, please.

Q. Look at your bullpen right now. How would you compare its strengths to maybe where you were a year ago?

RYAN PRESSLY: Yeah, I mean, we've definitely opened some eyes this year with how good our pen has been. Stanek had arguably one of the best years as an Astros reliever.

Everybody goes down there prepared to pitch, ready to pitch. So I think that's been the biggest thing is the communication that Miller and Murph and Dusty has had with us has prepared us for the roles that we've been put in. So it's been relatively smooth in how we approach each game.

Q. How much do you believe playoff experience or postseason experience is a factor?

RYAN PRESSLY: It's a big factor, obviously. We've been there, we've been there pretty much every year since 2017. You know, for us it's another game. It's just a lot louder and a lot more cameras, really. So if you haven't been there before, it can kind of get overwhelming at first. But with this team, we're ready to go.

Q. You alluded to having multiple pitching coaches and how that communication goes. Maybe can you share through your time in the Major Leagues how you've seen those roles evolve, having a pitching coach, assistant pitching coach, and what does that does for your performance?

RYAN PRESSLY: Yeah, having another pair of eyes on you is never a bad thing. When we're out there throwing bullpens or live BP, spring training, these guys are working tirelessly watching film, and if our mechanics are off, these guys work really hard to make sure that we're ready to go and prepared.

So the communication that Miller and Murph have had with us is I think some of the best communication I've ever had.

Q. Obviously this is nothing new for you. You've done this so many times, but do you still get excited and get like little butterflies whenever it's time to do it again?

RYAN PRESSLY: I've been having butterflies all week. This is what you play for. We're excited to be here. It's going to be a fun atmosphere. We love playing in front of our fans, and especially in the postseason, this place is extremely loud. We're excited, man, this is really fun.

Q. What is y'all's take on Seattle considering how they're playing at this point?

RYAN PRESSLY: Yeah, I mean, they're playing really well. They wouldn't be here if they weren't playing really well. We just, we're going to go out there and play these guys like we have played 'em during the season. And like I said, it's the same game, it's just on a bigger stage and in front of more crowd and bigger lights.

So you got to tip your hat to them. They have been playing really well, and we're excited to play 'em in this series.

Q. How have you seen Hunter Brown kind of handle the transition to the bullpen and sort of the uncertainty that comes with that on a daily basis?

RYAN PRESSLY: Well, I think he was kind of throwing out of the bullpen in Triple-A. When I went down there on my rehab, I was in the pen with him. So I think he knows how to handle it.

On top of that, with the veterans of myself and Will Smith and guys who have been in the postseason, can kind of guide him a little bit in how you slow the game down. It's still the same game, just be prepared and go out there and give it your best.

Q. Looking at Kyle Tucker, how have you seen him address any of the holes that he may have had in his swing when he arrived here to the Major Leagues and just really become a complete run producer?

RYAN PRESSLY: Yeah, he's definitely turned the corner. I think he hit 30 homers last year. And then this year, I think a big, I think he would tell you a big part of that would be Mike Brantley. That guy is one of the purest hitters out there, and every time I look up, Tucker is standing right beside him.

So he prepares himself, and watching him and how he prepares himself is only going to make him better and better, and he's definitely done that for sure this year.

Q. What is it like to be in the bullpen and have Justin Verlander on the mound? What kind of admiration do you have with what Verlander continues to do at his veteran status, I won't say his age.

RYAN PRESSLY: Yeah, it's pretty amazing what he has done this year. He definitely would have my vote for the Cy Young. But the way that he prepares is the best I have ever seen. How locked in he is and how he approaches every day and how he's going to pitch you, it's kind of amazing to watch. Especially to watch it now and what he's gone through with TJ the last two years. And coming out of the gates this year is, it's been really fun, especially to have that kind of veteran leadership who has been there too. To take Game 1, I think that's going to have a bunch of confidence for us when we go out there today.