NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS PHILLIES

October 24, 2023

Trea Turner

Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Pregame 7 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Trea Turner.

Q. Trea, I believe you've played in a Game 7. What were your emotions and things like that going into that, and do you think having the experience of playing in a pressure game like that can help you tonight?

TREA TURNER: Yeah, for people on the field, I think it feels real similar to each game. Like, everything feels like a do-or-die situation, Game 1, Game 2, Game 3. But I think before and after the game is when you feel more of that, personally. Because you feel like you have to have Game 1, you have to have Game 2 type deal.

So I think it's real similar from on-the-field standpoint. It's more of how do you prepare for that mentally, and then afterwards, I think that's when that sets in.

But as far as baseball, it's postseason baseball. We'll take this situation any day of the week, if we get Game 7 and move on to the next round. We feel good, and we're ready.

Q. From all your years playing alongside Bryce, on a stage like this, how excited are you to see him in his first Game 7?

TREA TURNER: Yeah, I saw this is the Phillies first Game 7 in their franchise history too, which is kind of crazy. Yeah, it's been fun to watch him play all year long really, coming back from his injury and doing the things he did was special. Then his postseason has been unbelievable as well. He's been big for us. We're going to need him.

But it's just been fun to watch his journey all year really. Get a chance to see him involved at first base and play a really good first base for us and make some really good plays and do what he does at the plate as well. So we're going to need him tonight.

Q. You guys have had a big home field advantage, but the rest of the playoff scene it's been no advantage at all. You saw what happened in the ALCS. Same thing as you guys did in 2019. Why do you think that is?

TREA TURNER: I have no idea. That's what I thought of exactly was 2019. In the World Series, we lost all our home games, and so did the Astros, which is weird. I think that's the beauty of baseball. Everyone wants to predict something. This team should win. This guy should do well. This should matter. Sometimes it does, but sometimes crazy things happen.

So I think that's why I appreciate the sport, I think fans appreciate the sport. You have to compete each and every out. There's no clock. It's been a fun postseason for us.

I've enjoyed watching it too. Watching that series was pretty cool, pretty special. I think it's just been a fun postseason all around. Sometimes crazy things happen.

Q. Thomson's refusal to change the batting order or his commitment to the batting order the way it is, do you find that to be comforting, a value to that, especially the veterans in that lineup to know that you're going to come bat in that same order pretty much every day regardless if you win or lose?

TREA TURNER: Yeah, I personally like it a lot. And in a seven-game series when you kind of feel matchups coming. You know a lefty is going to go for the top of the order, and then if you are Bohmer, you're get a right-hander. So you can kind of mentally prepare for more at-bats, I feel like. So in a seven-game series I think it helps a lot.

But I also think it just gives everybody confidence. We believe in ourselves. This is the lineup that got us here for the most part. We just need one more win to move on. Keep doing our thing, keep competing. And we have a good lineup. I think sometimes you can make adjustments and sometimes you can overreact, but I believe in all our guys, one through nine, whoever is in there. I think they do as well. That's a good thing.

Q. Trea, a lot has been made about Ranger Suarez and a low heartbeat kind of guy. Can you just talk about how he might be well-positioned to be in this spot tonight?

TREA TURNER: Yeah, you said it, the low heartbeat is special. It's a special quality this time of year. He's definitely got that and controls the running game. He fields his position well. He does everything.

Tough on righties and lefties. Multiple pitches. It just gives us a really good opportunity to win this ball game. We have all the confidence in the world in him. I know he does too. He has been throwing the ball great for us. And sometimes everyone is talking about Zack and Nols, and rightfully so, but he's been big for us too.

He was good first game he pitched here, or Game 3, against these guys. We expect more of that out of him.

Q. Pfaadt did a nice job for them last time. What was he doing that was so tough on you guys, and what do you need to do to have a better outcome against him?

TREA TURNER: I think it was a combination of facing him for the first time. He has kind of a unique pitch mix with his windup and what not. He just executed really well. We rewatched the game, and have at-bats running through the batting cages to see pitches and stuff. And it seemed like everything was hit in a corner or just missing off, and not a lot of pitches in the zone. Sometimes you have to tip your cap towards guys that make pitches, and he made a lot of pitches. Not many mistakes.

We're going to have to fight, battle, take our walks if we can. Whatever we have to do to win the game tonight. He pitched a good game last time, and probably expect more of that out of him too.

Q. As the series has gone along, Trea, it seems like the Diamondbacks have changed their approach in pitching to both Schwarber and Harper. As you bat between them, how does that change your approach as well?

TREA TURNER: Pitching to them?

Q. Or not pitching to them --

TREA TURNER: Kind of like I said a little while ago, when you play somebody seven times in a row, you kind of feel the situation out. I kind of know if Kyle and Bryce are swinging the bat well, they're coming after me, and maybe vice versa.

I think it's more of a mental thing, more of an inside-the-game type deal. But I think we all believe in ourselves. We're excited to hit. We want to hit. If they walk somebody or bring in somebody to either avoid or face one of us, we're ready to go.

It's been fun watching those guys hit homers this series, especially right in the middle of it. I'm either on deck or hopefully on base for a Bryce homer. Yeah, that's the game within the game. It's been good on far.

We've got them some, and they've got us. I know they've walked Kyle and got me out in some situations. I've driven in some runs. It's been fun to watch that battle go on.