NL DIVISION SERIES: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

October 7, 2023

Matt Olson

Truist Park

Atlanta Braves

Pregame 1 Press Conference

Q. Matt, Kyle Wright struggled all year with the shoulder and now Snitker told us he's going to have to have surgery in this next season. How tough is that for a guy that was your 21-game winner a year ago in his breakthrough season?

MATT OLSON: Yeah. Obviously you feel for Kyle. I know he worked hard to try to get back and feel right this year. Like you said, 21 guy, you don't just stumble across that. So we know the kind of guy Kyle is and stuff that he has and what he means on the mound for us.

But stuff happens, and the health is the number one thing. So they tried to avoid it and see if it was something he could work through, but clearly it's something he needs to get fixed and have heal properly.

So sucks that he's gotta miss next year, but the overall long-term health is number one. So hopefully he gets right, and we'll see him the next year.

Q. Matt, a lot will be made of this lineup shuffle coming into this game. What are your thoughts on seeing Austin hitting in front of you instead of behind you and Ozzie being behind you?

MATT OLSON: Yeah. I think we feel confident any way we are shaped up out there. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter too much what slot you're in. You gotta go have a good at-bat and be able to mix it up and kind of change up, make some matchups harder. It doesn't matter too much to us.

Q. This offense did some incredible things this year. I know you said on the final day of the year it's kind of all back to zeros at this point. How big was this week, the preparation of this practice games and maybe how different was it than what you guys did a year ago to get prepared for this first round?

MATT OLSON: Yeah. I thought it was really good. We came and treated it like a game. I thought everybody's focus and energy was good. You live and you learn.

Last year was new for everybody, having the long time off. I'm sure you can point to a bunch of things as why we lost last year, but to be able to mix it up and kind of keep the game feel going, I think should help.

Q. That was my question, Matt. What's your view on Ranger Suárez and how the team is prepared to face him?

MATT OLSON: Obviously a good pitcher. Moves the ball around well, mixes stuff up, knows how to pitch. And a guy we've seen a few times. So hopefully we come in with a good plan and hit some mistakes.

Q. Matt, Ozzie missed last year's postseason due to injury. How huge is it to have him back for this postseason?

MATT OLSON: Yeah. We know Ozzie is a special player, provides a spark on the bases and the field when he's swinging. He can hit some pitches that nobody else can.

A fastball at his face or curveball that's about to bounce, he can put a good swing on it. So he's a tough guy to game plan for, obviously a dude who's a big part of our lineup and glad to have him here.

Q. Matt, having Max healthy after last year against Philadelphia, how big is that having him?

MATT OLSON: Yeah. Same thing. Max is one of the best starters in the Big Leagues, one of the most consistent, in my opinion, a guy who doesn't just go out there and rely on one pitch or anything.

He's able to read the game, read the flow, read the swings and adjust his stuff and his process based off that. So he's a pro on the mound, and a guy we love having the ball.

Q. Matt, we've gotten to know Spencer, obviously see the competitor that he is, but what have you learned about him and why tonight this is a moment he's ready for and certainly looking forward to which we heard from him yesterday?

MATT OLSON: I mean, since the day he came up, he's proved that he's ready for it. You know, you see the electric stuff that he has, but like you said, he's one of the best competitors I've played with. Very regimented. Knows exactly how he wants to attack guys, knows exactly how to get himself ready, and glad to have him on the mound.