NL DIVISION SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS DODGERS

October 7, 2023

Bobby Miller

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers

Pregame 1 Press Conference

Q. I know we've been talking a lot, just kind of preparing for these moments. But now that the postseason is here, you know that you're going to be the Game 2 starter, what have your emotions been and just the feeling overall approaching into your start tomorrow?

BOBBY MILLER: It's an honor to have the trust by the coaches and the teammates to put me out there in Game 2. I feel ready to go.

Q. What's been the biggest game you've pitched in your life before tomorrow, and what kind of experiences can you tap back into getting ready for this one?

BOBBY MILLER: I mean, biggest game -- we've had a lot of big ones this year, but probably my debut or Seattle, those were a couple of really big ones. Nerves going into that one were pretty high, but that's a good thing. That means I'm really excited for it.

Q. How much have you actually talked to guys directly about what a postseason start is like versus just seeing how guys have gone about their business this week leading into this?

BOBBY MILLER: Kind of what Kersh said yesterday, he'd rather fail at the highest level or fail here than not be here at all. I'm just really excited for Monday, and just treating it like another game. I want to win every time I'm out there anyway.

Q. You've talked a little bit and Dave's talked a little bit about it, the work you've done to manage your emotions, especially mid start on the mound. What's that sort of looked like over the course of this year, and what's allowed you to handle that a lot better as the season has gone along?

BOBBY MILLER: Not letting the game speed up on you. Obviously with the pitch clock, there's times when you've just got to keep going. But when stuff starts to go in the deep end, just not let the game speed up on you, slow it down a little bit, take a quick step off the mound, deep breath and just find something comforting mentally to cheer you up a little bit. And just know it's a blessing to be here.

Q. You talked how your mix has changed as the season has gone on. But where do you feel you've made the most strides in terms of being on the mound and actually attacking hitters this year?

BOBBY MILLER: Just throughout the year just not being afraid of the strike zone, just attacking the hitters, being in attack mode, especially when we have a big lead and a good offense like we do, it's really hard not to be in the attack mode all the time.

Q. Yesterday with Dave we were talking about the familiarity amongst these two teams. And considering your first postseason, is there something or a feeling of a sense of relief just knowing you'll be going up against a team that you all have seen quite a few times this year?

BOBBY MILLER: A little bit. At the end of the day they're still fighting as hard as they can to try to take everything from us. You can't underestimate anybody who's out there.

But I have a lot of confidence out there going against these guys, I faced them twice already. They got to me a little more the second time against them. But I'll do my best not to let it happen a third time.

Q. How was it to have this for a season with some of your guys like Emmet Sheehan, Michael Grove, Ryan Pepiot, all you guys really breaking in around the same time, how cool is that, and how much have you leaned on each other this year?

BOBBY MILLER: It's awesome. We've been talking a lot every single day how much of a blessing it is to be here and a chance for some of us young guys to win a World Series.

I've kind of talked to Emmet a little bit about it, and now it's come to go reality. But right now, just focus on the Diamondbacks, and that's all you can focus on now.