NL DIVISION SERIES: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

October 11, 2023

Nick Castellanos

Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Postgame 3 Press Conference

Phillies 10 - Braves 2

Q. Nick, I think that's three different pitches from Elder that you've hit out in the last three weeks. Is there something about that at-bat in particular against him? I'm not talking about just tonight. Just overall that you feel good about that plays into your favor?

NICK CASTELLANOS: I just think that I've had a good approach against him. Don't try and do too much, get him up, stay to the middle of the field.

Q. Rob said that he's really liked the quality of your at-bats the last few games. What do you think has been going right for you at the plate?

NICK CASTELLANOS: Since when you said?

Q. The last few games.

NICK CASTELLANOS: I mean, I just think my focus level has gone up just naturally because of where we are in the season right now.

Q. Nick, you're wearing a Colorado sweatshirt and Phillies media, social media posted. They don't mess around talking about Deion's quote before a big game for Colorado. And Bryce was wearing a Colorado shirt in that tweet as well. Did what Arcia said inspire the clubhouse and/or Bryce?

NICK CASTELLANOS: I can't speak for Bryce or the clubhouse. I was aware that there was stuff being talked about. I didn't wear this because of them saying anything.

Just from Deion and what he's doing with the organization, I've become a fan of his, as well as what he's able to do for his kids. And so I ordered this like a month ago, but I guess it was a hot item, the Colorado merchandise.

So it just got there. And once it was there, today just felt like the perfect day to wear it. And apparently Bryce thought so, too.

Q. My question to you, Nick. You said something before the game about this team thrives off this kind of adversity. Was this kind of the perfect storm for you guys and also the way Bryce played tonight?

NICK CASTELLANOS: I think that the way the game ended in Atlanta was perfect, because I think that that jolt of emotion and kind of seeing them really celebrate kind of set the tone for this game.

You know, rather than let's say if Bryce would have got back and we would have worked it and we would have just lost it, I want to say a normal way because there's never a normal way to lose a game, but like having that exclamation point on the loss I think was perfect for our group of guys.

Q. Nick, you've had some special moments with Liam obviously this year. You talked about Deion and his kids, but how nice was tonight to share that with him and where does that one rank for you guys?

NICK CASTELLANOS: I mean, it's pretty high up there. I haven't seen him in over a month. So for him now to be here and to be able to witness postseason baseball and just for him to be close enough for where he can feel it, you know, it's so important for me. And just to see him thrive and enjoy and be a part of something magical, I mean as a father, like I can't ask for more.

Q. You've talked a lot about being comfortable. Does him being here feel for comfortable tonight than maybe you have?

NICK CASTELLANOS: You're asking me if my kid being next to me makes me more comfortable than my kid being across the country?

Q. Obviously it does. I'm saying, you talked this year about how much being comfortable has helped you have success on the field. Did that feel like that played a factor in you having success on the field tonight?

NICK CASTELLANOS: I mean, I know that I perform the best when my mind and my body are in the same exact place. I think when Liam is here, I'm extremely present because I'm not worried about anything else than what I'm taking care of at the moment.

Q. Nick, to see a couple of fly out after not having a homer last postseason, what does that do for you confidence wise? Was that something that was on your mind that you reflected on at the end of last postseason or where do you put something like that?

NICK CASTELLANOS: I didn't really give it much thought, man. I knew that last year just -- last year felt rushed from the moment I signed this contract to when I made the last out of the World Series.

This year has been slower in all regards because it's my second year, and I think that the more I become familiar, the more free I guess I feel in my environment.