MLB WORLD SERIES: PHILLIES VS ASTROS

November 1, 2022

Aaron Nola

Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Pregame 3 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with questions for Aaron.

Q. Have you pinpointed anything from your last two starts that you're working on to get back to where you were at the start of this postseason?

AARON NOLA: Yeah, I think just some fastballs that have kind of been a little bit over the plate and they have connected with. I think the home run, there was four home runs in those past two starts of mine. I know in San Diego they were solos, but the other night it was a solo and a three-run homer. Solos can't really beat you unless you give up a bunch of them during the game, but the two-run, three-run homers, they hurt.

Q. It's November 1st and it's been a long year. How much have you guys talked about what you might be feeling right now in terms of fatigue and just the natural, it's been a longer year than any of you have ever been through. How much discussion goes into what you have to do now in your last start?

AARON NOLA: Honestly, not too much discussion. I don't think any of us is really fatigued. I think the World Series and this late in the season gets you're amped up a little bit more, makes the body feel good, especially when you step out on the field in front of all these people and this crowd.

So, honestly, the last thing that's been on my mind is fatigue. The body feels good. My arm feels good. So that's all that matters right now.

Q. Rob said he kind of touched base with you guys before he reset the rotation. Did you tell him you wanted to pitch Game 4 as opposed to getting the extra day's rest? How did that conversation go?

AARON NOLA: He asked if I was good with Game 4 and I said yeah. Regular days rest, I'm fine with it. I know I had a pretty big rest going into my last start, so I was completely fine for throwing Game 4, and I told him I felt good.

Q. Do you think that gives you a better opportunity to maybe be available later in the series out of the bullpen?

AARON NOLA: Yeah, maybe. Wherever they need me, I'll be ready to go.

Q. And then J.T. won the Gold Glove today. Could you just talk about what he does for you defensively.

AARON NOLA: Oh, cool, man. I didn't know that. That's awesome. Well-deserved, well-earned, such a great catcher, such a great guy, great teammate. To see what he's done this year behind the plate, obviously one of the most athletic, in my opinion, if not the most in the Major Leagues, helps me out a lot. I'm not the quickest to the plate and he gets that ball down to second pretty quick.

Q. Your fifth postseason start, but only second at home where you were stellar against the Braves. Any extra comfort level pitching at home tomorrow?

AARON NOLA: I can't wait. It's obviously electric here. It's fun. We all love this crowd. It's so good to get back home for these next three games. Excited to pitch tomorrow.

Q. How much do you think an extra day or two of rest can help Zack in Game 6 after struggling and maybe being a little fatigued?

AARON NOLA: I don't know. That's something that he'll have to answer. Obviously not the start, he'll tell you not the start he was looking for. But it happens. We're playing a good team over there. But start fresh tonight and try to get Game 3.