NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS PHILLIES

October 17, 2023

Matt Strahm

Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Pregame 2 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Matt Strahm.

Q. There have been very few lead changes this postseason. Only a couple after the fifth inning. Other than the added days off, what's allowed bullpens across the league to dominate so far?

MATT STRAHM: Yeah, days off are obviously a huge part of it. I just think the stuff bullpens have now is kind of -- I mean, pitchers throwing harder, stuff is breaking more, and more rest as well. So that will definitely attribute to that.

Q. Can bullpens get hot as a group?

MATT STRAHM: Yeah, I mean, that's this sport. You get hot in any aspect of it. When everything is clicking for your team, it's no different than -- hitting is contagious. It's kind of the same thing down this for us.

Q. I'm curious, your background in North Dakota. How did baseball come to be your sport? Did you play different sports growing up from a family standpoint?

MATT STRAHM: Yeah, I don't know. I've always been in love with the game of baseball. Grew up going to all my dad's softball games Tuesday and Thursday nights and just watching him play ball.

Then it was kind of something I've always wanted to do. I played basketball and football growing up, but when I got to high school, I realized football wasn't for me. I was about 87 pounds, so probably didn't belong out there anymore.

But, yeah, obviously being left-handed, I always had that advantage, but just have always loved the game.

Q. Along those lines, as you are part of a bullpen, and certainly the bullpen seems to be the part of the team where there are so many unique paths. When you talk to your bullpen mates, what are some of the favorite stories you've heard and shared over the years about your paths?

MATT STRAHM: Yeah, I always tell guys it takes one hot month for your life to change in this game. As long as you're with a team, anything can happen in a month.

I think John Schreiber last year in Boston, his story of working coal mines his first two Minor League seasons and then being one of the most dominant pitchers in our pen last year there.

You look at Orion who was drafted last year and started in low A, and now he has hit every level, and hopefully we can get him to pitch in a World Series too. That would be unbelievable to go from low A to a World Series game.

The bullpen I always say that's where all the characters are. It's probably because all of our paths are different. It's a little rocky road for us sometimes.

Q. First, Matt, you have showed so much poise and ability the other night to get that save to close out the Braves, right? You hear so much about how the ninth inning is different, and it takes a special mentality, whatever. That's a super pressurized situation. You don't have any career saves, and you got right through it. Did you find it different, and do you think that as a talented Big League reliever that most guys can handle a ninth inning?

MATT STRAHM: Yeah, especially now. I've been telling you guys all year we have five or six closers out there. It depends who Topper wants to close the game.

Me and my path, I'm not a starter. I'm not a back end guy. I'm just a pitcher. When the phone rang and it was me, it's just get the outs until the ball is no longer in your hands.

For me I don't look at it as the save or whatever. It's just you got to get an out. That's the way this game goes. When you are on the mound, outs are all you're thinking of.

It doesn't matter what the situation is, what the game situation is. I'm out there trying to get outs.

Q. The other question, you've been in the league for a few years, and everybody knows of Bryce Harper, but when you play with him, what was the most surprising thing or the thing that you found that was different from what you expected maybe?

MATT STRAHM: I mean, playing against him and playing with him, it all looks the same kind of. It's a big spot, and he's in it. It's probably not going your way. It's probably going his.

When you have a guy that the lights are never too bright, you just hope you wear the same jersey as him because you definitely don't want to be facing him. But it's unreal to watch.

Q. I know you've said all year you're just a pitcher and you want the ball whenever. You started the year in the rotation. You've closed games. You close out the NLDS. What have the last six, seven months been like for you, what's this journey been like to be on this team and playing so many different roles for them?

MATT STRAHM: It's probably the most ideal season more for me. Don't get labeled as one thing and stuck in one role. I enjoy showing up to the park not knowing what's coming. I think I'D drive myself crazy in a desk job doing the same thing every day, so I think that's what is cool about my uniqueness is I can be thrown in any situation.

I mean, Topper has told me after a game, I'm starting the next day before, so I enjoy that. I would honestly label this year as the most ideal season for me.

Q. You do have one of the most impressive hairstyles in all of baseball, Matt. Can you share with us, is there a superstition with it right now? What are the future plans for Matt Strahm's haircut?

MATT STRAHM: It all started actually in '17 when I blew my knee out. I got a haircut the day I blew my knee out, and then jokingly said I wasn't going to cut my hair again. After spending three months on crutches and in a brace, it just kind of got through the awkward stage, and I let it go.

My younger brother has always had long hair, and he has always told me I should grow it out, I should grow it out. It was kind of like, all right, let's see.

And it went, and honestly I don't know when I'm going to be able to cut it. My daughter when I FaceTime her, if I have my hair up in a bun, she'll look in the camera like who is that? When I take it down, she knows who it is. It's going to be here for a while, I think, until her and my wife tell me to cut it, so...

Q. Just last thing, you obviously are well known for having a great interest in baseball cards. Is there one card or one set or one thing that you are most wanting to add to your collection? Like that you would love to have but don't?

MATT STRAHM: I have one of them. I don't have it the way I want it. I have a 1961 Roger Maris. It's a PSA 4. I would like to get a 10. But Roger Maris, North Dakota guy, 61 homers in '61, so I think having his '61 card would be cool in a PSA 10.

Q. Do they have them out there?

MATT STRAHM: Yeah, there are a few out there, but they're an arm and a leg, and I'm kind of cheap.