NL DIVISION SERIES: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

October 12, 2023

Orion Kerkering

Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Pregame 4 Press Conference

Q. You've talked about watching games, postseason games, as a fan last year. What has the atmosphere been like down in the bullpen and on the mound compared to that for you?

ORION KERKERING: It's been honestly a lot better, just being out there as a player, just seeing what it's like, enjoying all the fans themselves and actually being out there as a fan and watching them. It's almost like a day dream come true.

Q. To build off that you also talked about going to games with your dad and family members. Have they been coming to postseason games? This year, have they shared what it's like to stare at you through binoculars in the bullpen or whatever they're doing, what it is like this year?

ORION KERKERING: Yeah, they have. I've been able to get them as much as I can. My dad coming in Atlanta. I got my buddies coming through all these games. It's just been fun. Everyone asking me if they can come root for us. It's been a lot.

Q. Is your dad still going through his 15 minutes of fame or has that passed?

ORION KERKERING: A bit right now, yeah, but I think it's starting to dwindle down a little bit for sure in the last couple of weeks, yeah.

Q. Is there anything different about being on the mound in the postseason for you? Do you try to not make it any different than a regular season outing? What's that like?

ORION KERKERING: I don't think anything different. Just keep going. It's the same mound every time. Just keep doing what I can do best at, help this team win.

Q. Before a game, do they come to you and say, this is the pocket of the Braves lineup we think you'd be used for or be ready when this part of the order turns around or is it a surprise when they tell to you get up?

ORION KERKERING: I don't think it's really a bit of both. I think it is more feeling out the game and understanding like I am a slider guy. If there is a big pocket for righties coming up, that's probably where I'm going to fit in. So between all the righties we have in there, just be ready to go at that point.

Q. So much is made about the chemistry on this team and the camaraderie and all that. I know you know the guys, obviously Spring Training and everything else. You've only been here a couple of weeks really. How have you felt and just fit in so quickly and what makes this team so easy to fit into?

ORION KERKERING: Everyone is super welcoming, and it just doesn't feel like I'm a new guy. It just feels like I've been here all year. So they have always been teaching me and learning new things every single day and just been super helpful with it.