NL DIVISION SERIES: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

October 12, 2023

Rob Thomson

Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Pregame 4 Press Conference

Q. Rob, over the last two postseasons, you guys are 4-0 when you have a chance to wrap up a series. Haven't had to get a lot of do-or-die situations. What makes this team so good at not letting up and finishing the job when they have the chance?

ROB THOMSON: I think it's the same thing as Nick said last night, when they get punched in the face, they come back for a fight. I think it's just a group of guys that stay after it and compete on a daily basis.

Q. Just a procedural one. Kerkering after pitching last night, is he available tonight for you?

ROB THOMSON: Yes.

Q. And bigger picture, there's been a lot of conversation this season about the teams that spent big but didn't win. It seems like a lot of emphasis on that. Obviously you guys wouldn't be where you are without Bryce, without Trea, without Zack. And I'm just wondering why you think there is so much of a focus on that and if you guys are kind of a showcase for you can spend big and win?

ROB THOMSON: I can't speak for other teams because I'm not in their clubhouse. I don't know what goes on. But all I know is that we have talented guys with great makeup. They come and compete every day, and that's all you can ask, and they never quit.

Q. Bryson said that the mood is loose on the squad, and it's a pressure-filled situation being here, but can you describe what it's like in that clubhouse after last night and going into a game that you obviously want to wrap the series up at home?

ROB THOMSON: I think it was pretty normal last night. I mean they love to win, and they have fun after every win, whether it's -- if you clinch, they have a little bit more fun, but even during the regular season, you know, the music's playing, and they're messing around in there.

And today it was the same. They were loose. They were joking around, getting on each other, and that's what they do.

Q. Rob, and I know it's kind of different eras. Can you make comparisons to the championship team that you were with, the Yankees, the players, and the mentality of this team right here?

ROB THOMSON: I think it's very similar. I think this team here has a little bit more fun, and I'm not dogging that '09 team. But they were very business like, whereas this team is, you know, they're loose, and they come and they have fun at the ballpark, and they show it and they're not afraid to show it. But both teams prepared and competed and fought every day.

Q. And you like that genuine fun, right?

ROB THOMSON: I do. I mean that's one of the things that I wanted to do when I took over. And I told the guys, I want you guys to be yourselves and have fun. Understand that there's a difference between having fun and messing around. And they understand that. Once it's time to play, they go out and play.

Q. Just to follow up on that, how have you managed to keep this team loose during those peaks and valleys? There have been times with people where games where they had miscues in the field or bad pitching outings, but yet this team always seems to kind of come back from it and just keep going.

ROB THOMSON: I think you have to be consistent in your approach, in the way you come to the ballpark and the way you interact with your players. And it's not just me, but it's the entire coaching staff. I have a lot of help in that area.

So they don't sense any panic whatsoever. And I think our staff does a pretty good job of that.

Q. Rob, prior to Game 1, strategically you chose not to tell Ranger about the pitching plan so that he could pitch at his best. Going into today, how do you kind of approach that a little bit -- I mean you can't really pull that element of surprise on him a second time, right?

ROB THOMSON: Yeah, and I haven't said to him or to anybody because I just don't know how the game's going to go. This guy might go out there and pitch seven innings tonight. I don't know.

But we do have the option to be aggressive because of the day off tomorrow and the fact that everybody is available today. So I don't know how the game's going to go, but it's an option for us.

Q. When you came here in 2018 as a bench coach, the bullpen was a major weakness for this team and the contrast to what we've seen this postseason has been extreme. I'm curious what you think has made the difference there and what having that kind of depth that you have now opens up for you as a manager?

ROB THOMSON: Yeah, it's great. We've got a lot of power arms down there, a lot of leverage arms. And we've got some right-handers that can also get left-handers out. We got a left-hander that can get right-handers out, or a couple of them anyway.

I think from the time I got here, every year there was a little bit more emphasis on building that bullpen, and I think we've got an extraordinary bullpen now that I have a lot of confidence in.

Q. From the time you got here -- from the time you were hired as manager, you obviously haven't shown any hesitation to use younger players from last year all the way up through Orion this year no matter what the situation. Why are you -- some managers lean on veterans. Why are you so comfortable to give them a shot, give them a longer rope to prove what they can do from the very start?

ROB THOMSON: Well, I've spent a lot of time with young players. I've spent a lot of time in the minor leagues, and so I tend to trust them.

And I understand -- I can see the talent that we have in our younger players, and they gotta -- I mean in order for them to get confidence, you've got to use them, and you've gotta show confidence in them. And then the talent will come out. And so that's just sort of my mindset.

Q. Rob, Ranger has been very steady for you guys in the postseason, whether he's going three and two-thirds or five. What makes you feel good about him being out there tonight?

ROB THOMSON: Just his composure. I mean, this kid doesn't -- his heart rate never changes. He's just so poised on the mound, and the moment never gets to him. So I -- and the stuff is good. So I have full confidence in that he's going to go out, and he's going to pitch well tonight.