WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - PUERTO RICO VS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

March 15, 2023

Rodney Linares

LoanDepot Park

Team Dominican Republic

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Good afternoon, Rodney. I would like to know if you had a meeting already or if you are having a meeting later before the game? And question number two, do you know who the new pitcher will be, Yadier Molina said that there were three changes?

RODNEY LINARES: First of all, good afternoon. Thank you for your time. Yes, I'm aware of the changes made. I talked to Alex the pitching coach in Puerto Rican, yes, they wanted to change three pitchers before the game. Our lineup is the same.

Regarding the meeting, we had a meeting in the morning, early in the morning. We tried to do everything before the game. First we meet with the staff. We have a room for that. Then we speak with the players before the game. When we speak about the game plan versus the pitchers, etc. They will try to change their pitchers, it's going to be like a bullpen day for them. We are ready for that. We have to be focused and ready to face that.

Q. Speaking about that change of pitchers, a bullpen game, the Dominican Republic has the stuff you need in the lineup. It's going to be like a chess match. It'll be very important or one of the most important Classic games for Puerto Rico. What strategy are you going to apply?

RODNEY LINARES: When we started to study Puerto Rico to see who was and who wasn't available, we tried to put together the most balanced lineup. We have switch-hitters in the lineup, on the bench we have Canó and right-handers. In order to see what they are going to bring, if it is a left-hander or a right-hander, they have many options and we are going to have two right-handers after Soto. So that the left-handers has to face the others before coming to Devers.

About the chess match and strategy, well, we have the players we want to have. We match up well against their pitchers. If it is the most important game? Well, I would say yes. I'm very happy and excited to go out the field, and the guys do what they know to do.

Q. For you what's the importance of this game? Considering its significance for the Dominican Republic and the sequence of the team in the tournament. If you win, Alcantara will be pitching on Saturday versus the other team?

RODNEY LINARES: Yes, Sandy continues. He will be the ace for us, and Javier will be pitching the next game and then we'll see who would be pitching in the finals. But we have to be focused on today's game.

Yes, today's going to be the most important game in the tournament. We are facing Puerto Rico, a very well-balanced team, very good team. But I think that, yes, our bullpen is rested. We didn't use key pitchers yesterday versus Israel. We can match up well with them. We can use all our pitchers.

Personally speaking, what is the meaning of this game? Everything. It means everything. This is a huge stage. I have felt the support of the fans, the family and people around me. It's been very special. It's an experience I am not going to forget. Coming here as a coach, as a manager, this is great. This is huge for us, for me.