MLB WORLD SERIES: PHILLIES VS ASTROS

October 28, 2022

Zack Wheeler

Minute Maid Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Pregame 1 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Zack Wheeler.

Q. Rob said you're okay, but just curious how that knee is feeling after taking that line drive the other night.

ZACK WHEELER: It's sore, but it feels good. I think it was more of just like in the moment thing where it really hurt and of course the next couple days, but it's fine now.

Q. Where did it hit you, on the inside?

ZACK WHEELER: It was my left leg, just right off the inside of the knee.

Q. Do you think there's going to be anything different in terms of what the atmosphere for the start is going to be like tomorrow and how do you kind of manage that?

ZACK WHEELER: I'm sure the atmosphere is going to be pretty good here. It's inside. It's the World Series. So I'm sure it's going to be pretty loud. I'm sure their fans are looking forward to it. So, yeah, it should be pretty fun.

Q. So it's your left leg, it's your land leg? When you threw your bullpen, did you feel any soreness there?

ZACK WHEELER: No. I was able to go back out there and pitch, yeah, so it was fine.

Q. Because it has lingered, no problem --

ZACK WHEELER: It hasn't lingered, no.

Q. You said it was sore.

ZACK WHEELER: Yeah, I mean, a little bit. Of course it's going to be sore.

Q. I think this is one of the few teams you've never pitched against, if I'm correct. How does your preparation differ when you haven't seen a lot of these guys?

ZACK WHEELER: I don't think it really differs all that much. I rely a lot on J.T. I ask my questions to Caleb and J.T. in our pregame meetings of certain things that I like to know personally. So I'll ask those, and I'll pitch to my strengths and let J.T. kind of lead me.

Q. Because it's a bigger game do you spend more time or is that kind of counterproductive in a sense?

ZACK WHEELER: No, I don't dig too much into all that stuff just because I don't like thinking too much when I'm out there. I just like knowing the basics, what's basically going to help me, and kind of the tendencies of them hitting.

Q. What's it been like in the clubhouse today on the eve of Game 1 of the World Series? How is the vibe in there?

ZACK WHEELER: It's good. Just another day, it seems like. I think that's the way it kind of should be. Obviously, it's the World Series, but it's just another game. We need to go out there and win the first game and try to get off on a good step.

Q. So you're starting Game 2 instead of Game 1. How was that extra day of rest? Has it helped you and if it has, how so?

ZACK WHEELER: Yeah. You know, pitchers, we like to take pride in pitching every fifth day. But if the numbers speak for themselves, they speak for themselves. I think an extra day of rest for me, numbers-wise, speaks for itself.

So obviously I'm a little better with five days rest instead of four. So, yeah, I mean I think it will help me.

Aaron hasn't pitched in a longer amount of time than me, so I think it's kind of the smart move.