NL DIVISION SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS DODGERS

October 7, 2023

Alek Thomas

Dodger Stadium

Arizona Diamondbacks

Pregame 1 Press Conference

Q. Just curious what that moment was like for you to homer in Game 2?

ALEK THOMAS: That was an awesome moment for me. Struggled in the first game, and being able to just do something for the team right there was pretty cool and get things started and then things started to unfold after that.

Q. You've been around the league for a couple of years now. What's different for you playing this outfield? Like what characteristics are different here at Dodger Stadium compared to other places you've played?

ALEK THOMAS: I think the field plays a lot smaller. It feels like the crowd is on top of you a little bit. The grass is very fast here. So definitely the elements are a little different here. But just gotta treat it the same. But definitely plays smaller and the grass is much faster.

Q. I don't think we've heard so many F bombs from Torey in a 15-second span but what was that moment like? And what are the emotions seeing this group come together under his watch?

ALEK THOMAS: To see him have so much emotion after a win like that is special to us players, to see our manager show his colors. Definitely want to ride with that guy. He's going to ride with us.

We've got a big series here against the Dodgers. We've got to bring that fire that he had. Definitely it's cool to have that moment with him.

Q. One thing that's been very good on this team this year is defense up the middle, starting with Gabby and then the two guys in the middle infield and obviously you. Specifically I'd like you to talk about, what Ketel and Perdomo especially establishing himself this year, the defense up the middle that you've seen from those two guys, that double play combination?

ALEK THOMAS: Definitely they've done a great job this year. Seeing Perdomo mold into the player that I saw in the minor leagues is pretty cool. And Ketel doing his thing over there at second base, and Gabby doing his thing as well. So definitely up the middle is pretty cool to see.

Definitely they've made some awesome plays this year and definitely impacted the game tremendously.

Q. Just how would you describe Merrill Kelly's mindset when he steps onto the mound? It seems like he's just a completely different person when he's on there.

ALEK THOMAS: Definitely he has a different mentality when he steps on the mound. He definitely wants the ball in high-pressure situations. And he's definitely got that dog in him, for sure. Yeah, he's got a different mentality when he's on the mound.

Q. I know you haven't started against every lefty this season. What's it mean to you to be in there against Kershaw in this big of a moment?

ALEK THOMAS: It means a lot. It was a tough stretch for me against lefties earlier in the season, and being able to make some adjustments and get a chance to start a playoff game against Clayton Kershaw is pretty cool. And I'll definitely remember this moment. But definitely a lot of hard work put in to be able to be here at this moment.

Q. Obviously the last month or so of the regular season at the plate wasn't the greatest for you. Just getting into the postseason and having a huge hit like you did in Game 2 kind of wipe that away mentally at all, in terms of your approach at the plate and what you're feeling when you're up there?

ALEK THOMAS: Yeah, I definitely wanted to finish the season on a higher note, and then the next game was pretty much the same thing that's been happening. And then the second game finally kind of took a good swing and got us started.

Just having that moment was definitely a relief for me, and then definitely helps build some confidence going into the next game. So hopefully I can build off of that.

Q. This is not your first time on a big stage this year, if I can go back to March and for Team Mexico. How big was that for you and how big is it now to be on a big stage like this again, two times in one year and your reflection on that?

ALEK THOMAS: That's part of the reason why I wanted to play for Team Mexico, not only to represent my family and everything, but to also get that playoff-like atmosphere and play in that field of pressure.

So definitely, March baseball is a lot different from playoff baseball, but that moment right there playing against Team USA versus Mexico or Japan versus Mexico was pretty sweet. But the fans were very loud. That's how it was at the Brewers. I'm sure it's going to be the same at the Dodgers.