NL DIVISION SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS DODGERS

October 10, 2023

Brandon Pfaadt

Chase Field

Arizona Diamondbacks

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. You've been up and down a couple times this year. Each time, in what ways did you come back a better pitcher?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think both times going down, coming back up has been an adjustment. There were some adjustments made both times I went down.

And coming back up, the results got better and better every time. So I think that just speaks volumes to the coaches down there and the development.

Q. What were those adjustments?

BRANDON PFAADT: One big adjustment was moving to the first base side of the rubber, just kind of helping those pitches tunnel better. Little stuff like that.

Q. Torey said he was hoping that you might have a little better mix in your second postseason outing. Just besides that and including that, I guess, what did you learn from that outing in Milwaukee, and what do you hope to take from that?

BRANDON PFAADT: This is a good Dodgers lineup. I think mixing is going to be the major key, especially early on.

In Milwaukee, it was mainly fastball, slider. And I think there's some adjustments that need to be made. And that's kind of been the learning point going forward is being able to not show your strengths first time through and then adjust.

So I think there's definitely something that a good game plan going forward into this game and kind of build off what Merrill and Zac have done so far.

Q. Kind of building off what you're talking about there, you got to watch how Merrill and Zac approach the lineup. Does that help you at all when you get to see a team like that and see how these guys approach it and see what works, what doesn't work?

BRANDON PFAADT: Yeah, I think it doesn't not only help me but it helps the whole team having this momentum going in to the third game, 2-0. I think it's huge for not only the pitching but the hitting, too. They've been lights out.

So obviously the hitters heating up helps the pitching and vice versa.

Q. Obviously since you came back up in July you have shown a lot of really good stuff. But probably the one thing that's bit you a couple times is the long ball, including in Milwaukee. What are some things that you think you can do tomorrow to kind of prevent that?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think building upon like just the pitch mix, pitch selection, being aggressive, getting ahead in counts will hopefully help limit that aspect.

Q. The impact that Brent Strom has had on you going back and forth, if you could talk about Strom a little bit?

BRANDON PFAADT: He's been great. He knows what he's talking about. He knows how to communicate, how to connect with his players. He's been doing it for a while, so having him by our side has been huge, especially going up and down and having that guidance going forward.

I think Strom's been amazing. He's always been on my side and I'm grateful to have him.

Q. Does he communicate with you when you were down? Was he communicating with you, or was it simply when you were up here?

BRANDON PFAADT: When I was down, too. And on the All-Star break, he might called me. It might have been 11:00 p.m. I was, like, what does he want? So we talked and he's always there. He's always ready to talk no matter what. He's been great.

Q. It's going to be a sell-out crowd tomorrow. How excited are you and your teammates for the atmosphere?

BRANDON PFAADT: It's awesome. Anytime Chase sells out that's good for everybody. I think it's definitely something to look forward to and it should be an awesome experience.

Q. A little bit of an extended rest from that Milwaukee start. I guess what has this week of preparation been like?

BRANDON PFAADT: It's been pretty normal. It's a little extended. But the way the pitching lined up was perfect, having Merrill and Zac go the first two games. I think it's helped our team a lot. It's just a little extended rest, a little change of routine. Arm feels great. It's a win-win.

Q. What did Strom -- do you remember what Strom had for you that night when he called?

BRANDON PFAADT: It was moving to the first base side of the rubber. And he had a whole diagram of every single pitch on every side of the plate. It was funny.

Q. You were in Reno at the time?

BRANDON PFAADT: No, I was in Kentucky for All-Star break. I flew home. I was sitting in my parents' house, and, a call from Strommy. Let's see what he wants. It was funny.

Q. How long was the call?

BRANDON PFAADT: Probably longer than it should have been. (Laughter).

Q. Could you wrap your mind around all of it in the moment there when he was calling?

BRANDON PFAADT: Yeah, I mean, it was just -- it was kind of reassuring, going home for All-Star break, being in Triple-A, he was, like, hey, we need you in big games in the postseason, later on in the season. So that's kind of what the call was about, too, and giving that reassurance. It was good.

Q. What's the balance that you walk with your four-seam? I know you've mixed in the sinker a little more, but you've been able to get some swings and misses on the four-seam in different parts of the zone. But it's a pitch they can do some damage on if it's mis-located. How do you navigate with that pitch?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think that's any pitch if it's mis-located. Kind of just helping -- I think the sinker helps the four-seam and the four-seam helps the sinker. Just mixing them and knowing when to us them and keeping them off balance with two fastballs is huge, not for only those pitches but also the off-speed to come into play, too.

Q. Golfers talk about the enormous pressure when they line up for a tee shot with the crowd all around at the start of a golf tournament. What's it like for a pitcher to go out on the mound, and how do you handle that pressure?

BRANDON PFAADT: I would say it's similar. I think I would be way more nervous lining up for a tee shot. I think it helps doing it especially already pitching in the postseason. You kind of get that under your belt.

So I think for anytime or the first time, it's a little -- almost overwhelming. But getting that under my belt and being able to know what it's like, and it's a good thing, I think something to look forward to.

Q. How well do you know Will Smith, a guy who is also from Louisville, played collegiately at Louisville? Did you know him at all going into this year, let alone this postseason?

BRANDON PFAADT: I knew him -- when I got drafted that first offseason we trained together for a month or two. Before that I didn't know him. I knew of him, of course, but we got to know each other a little bit until he moved back out to LA.

So just a little bit, like if I were to see him we would say, what's up. But nothing crazy.

Q. When Strom says to you in that phone call we're going to need you in big spots in the postseason, was that difficult for you to imagine in that moment? Or did you believe that that would be the case?

BRANDON PFAADT: I believed him and I had confidence in myself to get back up as soon as possible and help the D-Backs win big games because we knew it would come down to a few games in the end. And I think that's shown. And hopefully we can help him get one more win and get to the CS.