NL DIVISION SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS DODGERS

October 11, 2023

Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Chase Field

Arizona Diamondbacks

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. Just curious for your take, I've asked a few other guys about what they feel changed from maybe that last week of the season to getting into the playoffs. Some people have wondered if maybe, I don't know if people were pressing to get in and once you got in everybody kind of relaxed. What's been your feel of what switched?

LOURDES GURRIEL JR.: I think it's no secret. Maybe the nervousness, uncertainty maybe of being left out of the playoffs was something that was with us. But once we clinched we were able to hit reset and be able to be a different team.

Q. You've been -- you've accompanied and your family have accompanied Yuli for the deep runs for the Astros in past years. I'm curious what that's been for like you and also what it's been with Yuli, what's it been like to win a couple of rings.

LOURDES GURRIEL JR.: It's something definitely I was part of asking him questions. All his success, postseason runs with Houston and right now the team is unified doing their job. The clubhouse is calm and at ease and just trying to do our job.

Q. You guys have been on the road now for four games. You're back here at home for the first time in the playoffs. How excited is the team? How excited are you to play in front of the hometown crowd, especially with a sellout tonight?

LOURDES GURRIEL JR.: Very excited to be able to give that satisfaction to our home crowd, but at the same time try to stay calm and not try to do too much, not do more than we're capable of doing.

Q. I know you and Gabby have been together since the Blue Jays organization. Could you go into more detail about your relationship, how close you two have been over the last few years?

LOURDES GURRIEL JR.: Very special relationship. He's like a little brother to me, blessing to be able to be traded with him as opposed to being traded separately, and helped each other out the whole process.

Q. Can you describe the impact, the experience from Tommy Pham and from Evan, and even from Ryan Thompson has had on the rest of the clubhouse?

LOURDES GURRIEL JR.: It's been incredible, the acquisitions through the middle of the season. When they arrived, the chemistry we've been able to form, it's been tremendous. And for some of the youngsters also special the way they've been able to blend in have that chemistry.

Q. Did you have much of a relationship with Gabby before the trade? And kind of how have you seen him grow as a player from when you guys started to where you guys are at right now?

LOURDES GURRIEL JR.: We didn't run into each other much in the minor leagues, but he had a stint in Toronto. But his maturity, the role he's had to take on here has been tremendous with the team.

Q. You've had an incredible year becoming a citizen. Your first All-Star Game and now with the Diamondbacks. And now the playoffs. How do you rank those experiences for this year?

LOURDES GURRIEL JR.: If I was to be able to ride out a dream season, I would be on the right path towards that. We're not done yet but so far we're on the right path.

Q. You mentioned that this team was able to reset, become a different team once the postseason came about. It seems you all are hitting your stride similarly to the beginning of this season when you were leading the division. I'm curious, what do you think has been the biggest change within this team ever since the postseason started to be able to be what seems to be a great positive trend with this team?

LOURDES GURRIEL JR.: The same trust, the same confidence we had early on in the season. Like you mentioned, some of the players, like Tommy Pham and Evan Longoria that came and kept us calm let us know we're going to play well and kind of get us through that.

Q. You set career highs in doubles, homers, RBI this year. It was a really good slugging season for you. Was there any difference in your approach at all this year for you with the needs of this lineup? Or was it just the same approach for you all year?

LOURDES GURRIEL JR.: I put a lot of work in in the offseason. Thankful also to the hitting coaches. Like I mentioned before, it was a topic of not being healthy last season. Being able to reset and put a lot of work in in the offseason?