NL DIVISION SERIES: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

October 12, 2022

Austin Riley

Truist Park

Atlanta Braves

Pregame 2 Press Conference

Q. How fortunate do you feel to be in the postseason on an annual basis, and do the emotions feel similar to what they did the last couple of years?

AUSTIN RILEY: Yeah, anytime you're very fortunate to be in the postseason. It's very hard to get here. And the emotions are the same. The intensity, just everything about the postseason is exciting. And the waves of rushes and everything that goes with it is there. Like I said, it's exciting.

Q. How has the -- you talked about you've been in the postseason since you've joined the team, how different is Riley 2019 postseason versus Riley in the 2022 postseason?

AUSTIN RILEY: I didn't make the postseason roster in 2019. 2020, just trying to do too much, the unwanted pressure that you put on yourself, the first time in it. Now you've got to go out there and play your game and not try to do too much.

Yesterday, we had a lot of opportunities to take advantage of that ball game and didn't do it. I want better at-bats today for myself. I feel like I missed some pitches when pitches were left over the plate and just didn't capitalize on them.

Q. I know when you were drafted there were a lot of people in the organization that maybe saw '21 or '22 as a target date as when you guys as a core could realistically win a championship or become what you've been. Do you remember at what point you noticed there was a lot of talent down there in the minors and you could have a pretty good run of success?

AUSTIN RILEY: I think probably '18, '19 is whenever I realized that our core group is pretty special. I didn't know it at the time but even that 2016 team in Rome, there were so many guys on that team that are here now and making impacts.

I feel very fortunate to be part of that group and the run that we're on right now. It says a lot about the front office, the work that they've done, really the guys, the personalities that they focus on. We've got a really good group of guys, guys pulling for each other. They come to work every day.

When you go through those little bumps in the road that's where you can lean back on that and to me that's what gets you through those moments.

Q. Similar question to previous one, but about leadership, since you signed up long term and maybe after Freddie moved on maybe there's a little bit of a void. Have you changed in terms of that? And does it show up in moments when you're down in a series?

AUSTIN RILEY: No, I just try to be myself every day. I try to let my on-field play show the kind of person that I am. Guys know that I come to work every day. I put in the time in the cage, video, whether it's weight room or whatever.

I know you can't take this game for granted whatsoever. It will punch you in the gut and keep doing it if you let it. It's just a matter of continue to work.

And I think Dansby has stepped up huge this year. He's our guy. To me, I think he's the captain of the infield and the clubhouse. And I just try to mimic kind of what he's showing.

And we've got the same personalities. Like I said, we come to work every day. Just pull for each other. I think that's how we go about our business.

Q. Last year this time when you guys were down 1-0, end up having a parade for a championship. Could you talk about the mindset about flushing setbacks where you guys are?

AUSTIN RILEY: We were at this point last year. There's no panic, it's just a matter of coming in today and executing our game plan. When guys are in scoring position, having those key at-bats. That's what it comes down to.

So there's no -- there's a sense of urgency, you definitely want to get this one today. But at the same time, like I said, you can't put that unwanted pressure on yourself. You've just got to go out there play baseball and let things come to you.

Q. Going back to talking about Dansby, we heard he earned the nickname "Sheriff" in the clubhouse. Could you expand on that a little bit?

AUSTIN RILEY: I've heard a little bit about it. But I wouldn't put him as a sheriff. He's the guy that guys look to him, he's a leader. He carries himself the right way. He's not going to jump on you or anything. Like I said, he's that ultimate leader. Wants the good out of everybody. Has got a great heart. And he cares.

His ultimate goal is winning, and that I think that's a motto that anybody can jump on. That's why I think everyone kind of gravitates towards him.

Q. I know the little one is too young to know what's going on, but does it feel any different being a dad in the postseason and having him experience it with your wife?

AUSTIN RILEY: I want to get a win so I can bring him in the clubhouse, take a little victory lap after a win. He's going to Philly. It's going to be exciting just to share those moments with him for sure.

Q. Snit told us the unfortunate news about Matzek. What has he meant to your guys' team and how bad do you feel for a teammate like that?

AUSTIN RILEY: You hate it. He's a huge reason why we made that run last year. To see someone like him, like I said, he's one of those guys that cares a lot about this team and to see him go down like that is unfortunate.

At the same time, I think a sigh of relief because I think he was trying to figure out what was going on with him. And I think to have that -- know what the bug is, and he can now go to work and get that thing taken care of. But at the end of the day you hate it for someone like him.

Q. What's it been like for you to watch Kyle Wright just kind of step into his own this year, especially from where you're standing at third?

AUSTIN RILEY: It's pretty cool. Everybody goes through their struggles, their ebbs and flows of trying to figure out themselves as players, as persons. And to see what he's done this year has been pretty incredible. To hit 20 wins, is awesome.

Just to see the confidence that he has on the mound and step up in those big moments, when things -- I think I've noticed most this year, when things aren't going his way as much as he wants them to, he stays calm and ends up making the pitches he needs.

And I think that just shows a lot of the maturity of him. And you knew this stuff was there, but it's just a matter of him putting it together. He's done that.

Q. Max yesterday clearly wasn't at 100 percent but was still able to go out and battle. What did you see from him and his determination at pitching Game 1?

AUSTIN RILEY: I think he threw a lot of strikes. I think he was competing as hard as he could. I think they just had a really good game plan; they executed it. I think that's what came down to yesterday, just the difference in them executing the plans and we didn't. And, like I said, you've got to tip your cap. They didn't miss pitches.

And so you hate it. You definitely want to jump out in Game 1. But like I said, today's a new day, get right back after it today.

Q. Just knowing that Wright only had postseason experience last year and now is jumping into this big role in Game 2, what did you see from him knowing that he has to step up for you guys today and you're confident in that?

AUSTIN RILEY: We're super confident in him. I feel like he's taken that big step this year, having that confidence, having that trust in his stuff that knowing that he's going to go out there and execute pitches and just be himself. And, like I said, we have all the confidence in the world in him.

Q. Speaking of their game plan, when Schwarber and Harper turn around to bunt, is that sort of wake you up a little bit, just keep your eye on that during the series? I know you won't change your defense.

AUSTIN RILEY: I think it's part of postseason, you know, in the shift, having that big gap open. They're just trying to take advantage of every situation they can. Definitely keep an eye on it.

But guys like that, Harper and Schwarber, I'd rather take a single versus a homer any day of the week.

Q. We've talked a lot about Strider in here. Are you guys excited to get updates about him and know exactly when he would pitch to?

AUSTIN RILEY: Yeah, what he's done this year and his stuff is so elite, to potentially have him at some point, I think that just gives us, our team, that much more confidence of knowing, liking where we're at.

Q. You mentioned your plate appearances today. For what the sample size is, you've had some success against Wheeler. I don't want you to give too much of your game plan away, but what will some of the things be that you're trying to execute, look for today?

AUSTIN RILEY: Just try to get something over the plate. I felt like, I think they're not giving me much over the plate. It's just a matter of capitalize on it when they do. It's as simple as I can put it.

When they do miss over the plate, I can't miss it. That's going to be the goal today, is try to jump on those pitches and not miss them.

And Wheeler is a really good pitcher and the stuff he has is elite. So it's a matter of him making mistakes and not missing them.

Q. The amount of long-term extensions you guys have on this roster is something that seems pretty unprecedented in kind of an economic landscape of baseball. How much do you think that continuity maybe five years down the road is going to help the success of this team having that core?

AUSTIN RILEY: Just how young we are, the core group -- we have the same mindsets. To have that for four, five, six years down the road, I think it just builds to what we're doing right now.

It's just like I talk about when us infielders play every day, you build that relationship with the guy next to you, whether it's -- now it's Strider, Harris, those guys, you build those relationships and know what to expect from each other and you can then build on that to hopefully be here year in, year out.