NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: PHILLIES VS PADRES

October 20, 2022

Ranger Suarez

Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Ranger, can you just talk about the excitement to have this kind of start. First game home, Championship Series game, and up against a team like San Diego.

RANGER SUAREZ: A game like this is pretty exciting. Something that I have in my mind is to be better than last time.

Q. Ranger, speaking of last time, that was ten days ago. Before that, seven days with the playoffs and not knowing when you're going to pitch. How has the between-starts routine and that stuff changed for you?

RANGER SUAREZ: Like always really. I know it was like ten days I didn't pitch, but I focused like -- I pitched as I would have done in a regular season game.

Q. You're up over 30 starts now this year. Could that extra rest benefit you for tomorrow and feel stronger going into the game?

RANGER SUAREZ: Yeah, I feel good. I feel pretty strong. I feel fresh. Like I said before, all I want to do tomorrow is be better than my last time out and really help this team win.

Q. You keep mentioning being better than your last time out. What did you learn from that start?

RANGER SUAREZ: I really want to attack hitters early in the count. I don't want to go deep in counts. I think that's really going to help my game tomorrow.

Q. This is kind of the same question, but can you pinpoint exactly why you've been struggling the last couple of starts? Whether it's fatigue or just bad location, anything.

RANGER SUAREZ: I think it's been, like, pitch location has been a problem for me, especially that last start. Lack of control of the strike zone. But I think that the rest that I've had these last few days is going to help me for tomorrow.

Q. I know the Padres weren't the team they are now, but I think you pitched a shutout as long as you were out there last time. What can you take from that, just going on it and just how does that help your frame of mind going in?

RANGER SUAREZ: Yeah, like you said in your question, they weren't the same team as they are now. They didn't have Soto. They didn't have Machado. Bell wasn't there either. So my plan tomorrow is to attack them, just attack the strike zone.

Q. Ranger, with this being the first potentially five games in five days, maybe a bullpen game in Game 4, how important is it for you to go deep into the game tomorrow?

RANGER SUAREZ: That's really what I'm focused on tomorrow. I want to go as deep as possible in the game because I think the more I pitch, the more I'm going to save the bullpen ready for the next day.