NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS PHILLIES

October 15, 2023

Rob Thomson

Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Workout Day Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Rob Thomson.

Q. Obviously down the road a little bit, but when it comes to the decision for Game 4, does the fact that maybe Walker doesn't have any experience in relief and Sanchez does -- does that factor in, and how much does the bullpen usage over the next few games factor into Friday's decision?

ROB THOMSON: That's the key right there. I think we have two really good options. They both threw BP today. Both were a little bit rusty, but that's why we do it.

But it's all about how we use the bullpen in the next says couple of days and also Game 3.

Q. Can you share what Rhys Hoskins' current level of activity is and the extent to which he is an option for the NLCS?

ROB THOMSON: Yeah, I won't tell you that because that would give away some of our roster, and that comes out of at 10:00 tomorrow, but is he doing pretty well. He is getting live at-bats, and he is getting at-bats off the Trajekt. He is running bases. He is sliding. He is doing pretty much everything except for taking ground balls.

Q. Zac Gallen has pitched a couple of times against you guys. He has had some success. What has he done in those starts that's kind of impressed you?

ROB THOMSON: Well, you know, the fastball has got life on it. It's a true four-seam. He pitches above the zone, and then he has really a breaking ball, and he throws strikes.

When you have that combination, I think you can be just like he is. He's an All-Star pitcher. We started him in the All-Star game, and really good.

Q. Were Walker and Sanchez able to get work in today, and what do you have them doing specifically?

ROB THOMSON: Both of them got two innings of BP.

Q. When do you think we might hear a decision on who is going to started that game?

ROB THOMSON: Maybe not until after Game 3.

Q. You touched on yesterday about how you considered retiring at the end of last season. Is there a scenario where you would retire at the end of this season, or are you committed?

ROB THOMSON: No chance. No. I'm having too much fun right now.

Q. Have you thought about a date or how much longer you want to --

ROB THOMSON: Not really, no.

Q. You guys have had success in playoff series that have started away from home. What kind of changes, if anything, mentality-wise when you start a series at home for a change?

ROB THOMSON: I think we're in better frame of mind when we're at home because we know that we've got the support of 48,000 raucous people, so it's good.

Plus, you don't have to travel. You don't have to worry about staying at a hotel, moving families, things like that. I think we're in a better state of mind starting at home.

Q. You've known Torey Lovullo for the better part of four years, and I'm curious what your initial impressions were of him way back when in Lakeland and how cool or interesting it is that you are now together in this series?

ROB THOMSON: It's interesting. Torey had signed, I guess it was maybe '87, and I was already in Lakeland. He started the season and got moved up to Lakeland. I only saw him for a few games because it was right at the end of the season, but I knew he was a prospect, high draft pick. Just a great guy. Very quiet, unassuming, went about his business, very humble, and a really talented player.

I've actually got to know him a little bit better as we got into the Big Leagues. He coached in Toronto when I was in New York, and then he ended up being in Boston when I was in New York.

We have a new mutual friend in Brian Butterfield, so we got to know each other a little bit more. He is a really good baseball man. Really good man, very humble. He cares about his players. He cares about the game and respects the game.

I have a lot of respect for Torey.

Q. What do you think is the most consistent strength that the Phillies have had postseason this year, and then how does that compare to last year?

ROB THOMSON: Well, I think our entire game has been pretty good and pretty consistent throughout this year in the playoffs. I think we were very similar last year. We're getting very good pitching. Our defense has been solid, and we're getting timely hitting, and fortunately right now we've hit some long balls, which we need.

So I think it's very similar to what we were doing last year, to tell you the truth.

Q. Quick follow-up. One of the things that has to happen for the team to get to the championship is that cohesion that you see. Do you feel like the Phillies team has that cohesion?

ROB THOMSON: Oh, no doubt about it. We've got a group of guys in that locker room, not only the players, but the coaches and the support staff. Everyone is pulling in the same direction. Everybody cares about each other. There's this natural bond, love, whatever you want to call it, that's in that locker room. It's as good as I've ever been around, to tell you the truth.

Q. What's unique about Caleb Cotham's philosophy on pitching and how he communicates that to the staff?

ROB THOMSON: He is tremendous. Never really been a pitching coach before he came here, but his knowledge of pitching, of not only arsenal but how to put it all together, how to put a game plan together. His communication with the pitchers is unbelievable because he's still fairly a young guy, you know.

He's really, really sharp, and I lean on him constantly. Pregame, in game, post game, off days, doesn't matter, I'm leaning on him. He is tremendous.

Q. Do you have any update on Dylan Covey?

ROB THOMSON: Threw BP today. One inning. Probably threw 20 pitches. It was pretty good.

Q. What's like the next step for him?

ROB THOMSON: Well, we'll see about the roster for next round, but he is healthy right now.

Q. Zack Wheeler obviously with his talent, but his ability to go deep into games, which is something a lot of pitchers aren't able to do that despite the talent part. Is there something about his mentality that enables him to do that, or the trust you show in him to stay with him as long as you do?

ROB THOMSON: Highly competitive guy. I mean, when he goes to the bullpen to warm up for the game, his plan is to go nine every time out. A lot of times you've got to -- it's like a fistfight on the mound to get him out of the game, but I love that about him.

Yeah, he just has great stuff, and he holds his stuff, which allows him to go deeper into games, and that's what his goal is at the start of the game. It's a good combination to have stuff and competitiveness and being able to hold your stuff.

Q. You mentioned how great it is seeing all these raucous fans filling up the ballpark every night. What's it been like seeing the team feed off the energy from the fans, and how have you been receiving that same energy and giving it right back to the team?

ROB THOMSON: Yeah, I think the team really responds to the energy in this ballpark. We really didn't see it until we got to the playoffs last year, and then we saw the other side of the passion that our fans have.

I feel the same way. I feel the energy come through me as well. I think it's the best fan base in maybe all of sports.

Q. I would like to know about your conversations about Craig Kimbrel about his role when he is utilized, because you have someone with a Hall of Fame résumé who is willing to go in the seventh inning in your last game. What are those conversations like, and how has Craig taken on that role?

ROB THOMSON: He takes it great. The only thing he wants to know is, okay, what's the possibility of coming in earlier than the eighth or ninth, and when you lay it out before the game or early in the game, he's fine with it. He just wants a little bit of a plan going in.