MLB WORLD SERIES: PHILLIES VS ASTROS

November 3, 2022

Jeremy Peña

Citizens Bank Park

Houston Astros

Postgame 5 Press Conference

Houston Astros - 3, Philadelphia Phillies - 2

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

Q. Almost every one of these games has been close or one team's been able to assert itself. What's it mean for this club, after losing that Game 1 that was so tough in 10 innings, to come here, win two, go back to Houston with a shot to close out this World Series?

JEREMY PEÑA: All these games have been hard fought. They have a great team. They put together great at-bats. They have great pitching. Great ball clubs win close games. Glad we came out on top. We know there's still work to do and we're going to try to finish it off in Houston.

Q. How does it feel being one game away from being World Series champions?

JEREMY PEÑA: We're just trying to stay grounded. We're going to just lock back in and play our game. Show up ready to go, ready to compete and try to close it out.

Q. What do you not say to yourself at this point? You know the situation. You're in a very good position, two games at home, you need to win one. What do you tell yourself at this point?

JEREMY PEÑA: Like I said, we just got to take it a game at a time and give it our best punch every single game and, yeah, try to close it out.

Q. You had pretty large shoes to fill obviously heading into this year. You filled 'em in quite nicely. Have you been able to sit back and reflect on all your success this year, especially now in the big stage?

JEREMY PEÑA: So, you know, I never saw it as having to fill shoes. I just had to come in and be myself, play my game. But at the end of the season, once we accomplish our goal, which is to go all the way, then I'll sit down and reflect on the journey. But there's still work to do and we got to lock in.

Q. Having not been in this position before and being a rookie, how have you been able to keep your composure in these tight games, whether it's in the field or at the plate? Anything in particular that you kind of relied on to do that?

JEREMY PEÑA: My teammates. Shoutout to my teammates. They prepare for every single game. It rubs off on you. They have a sense of calmness because they have been here I guess four years out of the last six. So you just gravitate towards them and just go out and compete and have fun.

Q. In the 9th inning there when Realmuto hit that ball and McCormick's going back what was going through your mind and did you think that he had a chance to make that play?

JEREMY PEÑA: It was well hit. The ball was well hit to the gap. I knew it could be trouble. But shoutout to McCormick, big-time play. Yeah, game-saving play.

Q. The home run in the 4th high-arcing shot. When did you know it was gone?

JEREMY PEÑA: When the umpire signaled home run (laughing.)

Yeah, I hit it, you know, and it felt good off the bat but I didn't know if it was enough. And I was running normal and then when the umpire signaled, that's when I started jogging.

Q. What did you think of what Ryan Pressly gave you tonight? I think he was five outs and it was high leverage the entire time.

JEREMY PEÑA: So Ryan Pressly, shoutout to him. He's been doing it all postseason. And now to come in in the 8th, shut it down, come in in the 9th, shut it down. He loves these situations. You can't expect more from a closer.

Q. This is obviously your rookie season, and to play in the biggest stage like this in the postseason, it seems like every game you're just getting better and better. With every series your numbers are improving. How are you able to do that at this stage in your career?

JEREMY PEÑA: Well, first, you just got to be grateful to be in the position that we're in. We're in the World Series. That in itself is something special. So I just go out and enjoy it, have fun, play hard, play my game, and then just trust my preparation. There's a lot of preparation that's gone into this and we're just going to keep competing as a team and, yeah, keep going.

Q. Can you just talk about the impact that Dusty Baker's made on you throughout your short season in the league?

JEREMY PEÑA: I mean, Dusty Baker is a legend in this game. He's been great to me since the first day we met. He took me in spring training, gave me great advice. He brings the best out of his players. He gives you all the confidence in the world and you can't expect more from a manager.