NL DIVISION SERIES: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

October 6, 2023

Ranger Suarez

Truist Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Ranger, a year ago you started in Game 1. Just some of your memories from that. What do you remember about it? What would you like to do differently, if anything, this time around?

RANGER SUÁREZ: Something I would like to do different is go deeper in the game. If I remember correctly, I pitched three innings or so last year. I would like to pitch five or six innings this time.

Q. What work have you done to try to build your ability so you can pitch deeper in the games?

RANGER SUÁREZ: Yeah. I've been working really hard on my control, trying to control the strike zone. I like getting ahead in the count early. So I can be more effective with my pitches, you know, try to get out of the innings quick, doing as little work as possible, and that helps me go deep in the games.

Q. Ronald Acuña is obviously having an MVP caliber season. I'm just wondering in studying video of him what you've learned in terms of how to possibly attack him?

RANGER SUÁREZ: Yeah. Obviously he's having a great season, but it's something that I like to do before games, before my starts is watch videos, but not only of Ronald Acuña, of every opposing player that I'm going to face that day.

Q. Ranger, September 27th, I think, was your last start. You were available out of the bullpen in the Marlins series. Can you kind of describe what the last ten days have been like, just in terms of what you've done and how you've prepared to pitch not knowing when that was going to be.

RANGER SUÁREZ: Yeah. The last ten days I've been throwing a couple of bullpens. Sometimes I get on the mound just to have a good feeling on it, you know, just I don't want to forget how it feels like to get on the mound. And, yeah, obviously for this game, I've been getting mentally ready for it, too.

Q. You were chosen to pitch this game over Taijuan Walker. You haven't had the best season of your career, but what makes you feel -- what is the feeling like to be the guy that was chosen to pitch this game against the Braves?

RANGER SUÁREZ: Yeah. I feel very happy to be the guy starting for us. It's an honor. I know that it hasn't been the best season of my career. I was away for a couple of months due to injuries, but I'm mentally ready for this game. I feel good. I think it's going to be a beautiful day tomorrow.

Q. You mentioned you watch film on all the Atlanta hitters when you're studying the team you're going to face. With this Atlanta team, is there something specific that stands out when facing them?

RANGER SUÁREZ: Yeah. I mean, it's no secret that the Braves are a really good team. They have really good hitters, the champion bat. They have possibly the National League MVP, too. So to me, it's just a matter of executing, doing the right things. So I know it's going to be a tough game, but I'm ready for a challenge.

Q. Ranger, will you concentrate more on pitching to your strengths or thinking about the weaknesses or trying to find the weakness of their hitters?

RANGER SUÁREZ: I honestly think it's a really good idea for me to mix them both. You know, I like, obviously, just pitching -- using my strengths, but I need to be conscious about what their weaknesses are, too.

Q. So, Ranger, you are excellent at fielding your position. Can you talk about the pride about playing defense and being able to field from the mound?

RANGER SUÁREZ: Every time there is a grounder hit towards me or near me, I try to go get it, because, you know, like to me, it's like an extra out. You know, it helps me, and obviously if I let it go through, you don't know if, depending on where the infielders are positioned, if it's going to go through the infield, then that can create a rally. So if I can avoid those situations, I'll try that for sure.

Q. Ranger, what did you learn about the postseason last year? What do you think that can help you this year from that learning experience?

RANGER SUÁREZ: To me, the main thing is to avoid mistakes. The little things, we gotta make sure we do the little things. That gets you places. You know, as long as you avoid like little mistakes, then we're going to be in good shape, because, you know, like teams like these, they feed off of your mistakes. They wait for those mistakes to take advantage of them.

Q. How do you feel about playing with such good teammates, like Harper, Schwarber, Turner, Castellanos, guys that with one swing, they can change the game? How does that make you feel as a pitcher?

RANGER SUÁREZ: Yeah, it's obviously really, really special. It's really cool to play with guys like Harper, Schwarber, Turner, Castellanos, Bryson Stott. That's why I keep saying to me, a goal of mine is to go deep in the game. I know that if I keep the game close, I'm going to give the team a chance to create a rally, to produce runs. This is a team that is built to score a lot of runs.

So as long as I give that chance, I know we're going to be in a good place tomorrow.