NL WILD CARD SERIES: MARLINS VS PHILLIES

October 4, 2023

Josh Bell

Citizens Bank Park

Miami Marlins

Pregame Press Conference

Q. We talked a little bit post-game yesterday. What's the vibe of the group knowing at this point it's do or die?

JOSH BELL: I think that after the game yesterday, A few guys spoke up in the clubhouse and said, so what, it's one game. We have won two in a row before. We know what is at hand tonight. We know what we have to do.

So hopefully we come out and do it.

Q. After looking back, you guys looking back at the film last night, did you guys like your approach against Wheeler? If so or if not, what are you trying to do with Nola tonight to get off to a faster start than you guys did yesterday?

JOSH BELL: Wheeler definitely did a good job against us yesterday, made some big pitches in big scenarios. Hopefully tonight we have a better game plan against Nola. Don't want to get into it too deeply for you guys. I'm expecting a little bit more offense from our end for sure.

Q. How important is it for the guys that you've relied on all year, whether it's Soler, Burger since he's come in, Jazz. It's a do or die game, so everyone's kind of trying to contribute?

JOSH BELL: You saw the last couple of months all it takes is one person, one spark, and one scenario, and we build off of it. That's what we're hoping for. Brax has got the ball tonight. Hopefully he throws a ton of zeros up there for us.

It's going to start with somebody tonight, not quite sure who it's going to be, but I'm pumped to celebrate after the game.

Q. I'm curious, with a guy like Nola you guys have all faced before, how much over the season and maybe even tonight, in game adjustments, you guys are able to help each other out as teammates, that you're able to pick up on from other at-bats?

JOSH BELL: We all watch each other's at-bats on the iPad. We all talk in the the dugout. We'll see how he attacks us tonight. Like you said, we've faced him before, kind of like Wheeler, we know, for the most part, how they're going to try to attack us. Obviously they're going to try to make adjustments and stay out of our hot zones, but we've just got to adjust back.

Q. What is it about Nola that has caused you to struggle against him so much over the years?

JOSH BELL: He's got a really good arm. I think he's extreme first base side. He's got like a lower arm slot, so he's got good run right on his fastball. He can front-hip it. He can back-door the curveball. He's pretty good with command, so he doesn't really make mistakes over the plate. He makes mistakes off the plate for balls and tries to clip corners.

So I think that he kind of gets nitpicky up there, but you just have to be diligent to your plan. If he does come in the zone and make a mistake, you can't miss it.

Q. I know you've seen it before, but how would you describe the environment here, what you guys experienced last night with the fans here?

JOSH BELL: It's awesome. It's very similar to what it was last year. I was trying to prepare the guys for it just on the flight over. It's what dreams are made of, seeing the towels and hearing the atmosphere. It's really cool baseball.

Q. How much have you enjoyed your time with the Marlins? Is there a certain comfort level there that is reflected in the production that you've had since coming over there?

JOSH BELL: Obviously I've had a blast here, played really well here. Hoping to continue to push forward with these guys. I felt like I was kind of stagnant for the first couple of months of the season and got a new life here and learned a lot about making adjustments in game and having preparation pregame.

So I feel like I took a step forward in my career, and I'm definitely thankful for that.

Q. We talk a lot about the trust between a manager and his team and between the organization and his team. How much has that trust meant to you from Kim bringing you in and from Skip using you every day in the lineup? What does that trust really mean to you in the context of this team and baseball in general?

JOSH BELL: It means a lot. Coming from Cleveland, I was hitting like sixth and seventh my first game. Then Miami, I hit third. I'm hitting behind Soler and Arráez. It's pretty incredible to know that they trusted in me. The first conversation I had with Kim when I got traded was, hey, we wanted you in the off-season. What happened?

It's nice to know that you're wanted, and sometimes throwing someone a bone goes a long way in this game.

Q. Josh, you said you're pumped up to celebrate after the game tonight. What makes you so confident?

JOSH BELL: Well, I trust these guys. I trust the guys in our clubhouse. We've done it time and time again. I felt like last night we were going to win that game. Every time that we take the field, it feels like a game that we're going to win.

I feel like, if you don't have that mentality, then you're not going to stick around in this game very long.