MLB WORLD SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS RANGERS

October 29, 2023

Brandon Pfaadt

Chase Field

Arizona Diamondbacks

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. So, late's say, back in April, somebody would have said to you, hey, you're going to start a World Series game, what would your reaction have been?

BRANDON PFAADT: Probably would have been probably not. But it was always in the picture. I think we struggled early on but we knew the outcome, if it were to get in this spot, that we would be here and ready to help our team win.

Q. Obviously you've had some big starts last series, big moments, this one with Game 4, pitching (indiscernible). How much does that factor into your plan and attacking guys and trying to get as deep as Torey will let you?

BRANDON PFAADT: I don't know if it's going to be a short leash or not. So we're just going to go out there and treat it like any other start and be ready to go, try to attack guys the way we've been doing and try to be as efficient as possible.

Q. Can you speak to the confidence that the team had after getting that win in Arlington, a very raucous crowd, being able to come back on them?

BRANDON PFAADT: It was big for the team gaining that momentum, coming home with it. Kind of vice versa to Philly. We came back home with a two-game deficit. And I think that's huge to come back home and have our fans behind our back with an even ball game. And I think we're ready to go and have that home field advantage, for sure.

Q. In the last six weeks, has your life changed outside of baseball? Like, do people spot you, and, like, there's that Pfaadt guy, or anything like that?

BRANDON PFAADT: Yeah, I think for the first time ever, three weeks ago me and Ryne Nelson went out to eat. This kid walks up and says, hey, can I have a picture. And we're, like, wait, does he recognize us or he just wants a picture?

It was a pretty cool moment. So, yeah, a little bit. But not as much you would think.

Q. This is kind of a cool, full-circle moment for you I imagine. Your first career start coming against the Rangers and now in the World Series. What's that like and how do you feel you've evolved as a pitcher since that first outing in May?

BRANDON PFAADT: It was cool going back to Arlington. It was like a full circle. That debut day was kind of a blur, but some things came back when we showed up to the ballpark. It was really cool to be there and kind of see that full-circle moment.

I think the way we've grown over the season has been tremendous. And ready to get back after them.

Q. Emotionally, what is this like for you? Do you feel a lot of pressure? Are you able to kind of compartmentalize and also be in the moment and enjoy this moment and what all this means?

BRANDON PFAADT: Yeah, I think there's always pressure in these moments. But I think that's why, after repetition and practice, I think that's where it all comes into play.

I think we've had a few postseason starts now. So we've gotten that under our belt. I think the step gets higher and higher, but we're ready for it.

Q. When last season ends in Reno, do you go watch the playoffs and World Series? Where were you back home at?

BRANDON PFAADT: Honestly, I don't really even watch sports, to be honest. I think I watched one World Series game last year. I was definitely back at home. That was after the Triple-A championship.

Q. Where is home?

BRANDON PFAADT: Kentucky, Louisville.

Q. Do you feel like Kelly gave you a blueprint of how to attack these Ranger hitters?

BRANDON PFAADT: For sure. When you have a guy like Merrill go out there and do the job he did, that kind of sets a standard for the rest of the series. And I think that's huge for going forward for his next start, for Zac's next start and for my next two starts or maybe one, hopefully one.

And I think that just sets the ground for us and how we should attack the guys moving forward in this series.

Q. A pitching question, most athletes do like other sports. You just like getting away from it; how come you don't like other sports?

BRANDON PFAADT: I don't really have an answer for that. I love sports. I love all sports. This is my first year of fantasy football so I just started watching football. I kind of like it. (Laughter).

Q. A pitching question. You faced the Phillies. I feel like the Rangers are kind of similar -- very lengthy. Does it give you a little bit of a blueprint even though it's different hitters?

BRANDON PFAADT: Yeah, probably the game plan is going to be similar. And they have a few home run hitters just like the Phillies. I think limiting that damage early is going to set a key for the rest of the game.

Q. We've heard from a lot of different professional athletes talking about what they do the day of the game, whether it's visualizations or affirmations. Is there anything you do specifically, especially ahead of a big game like this that you want to stick to your routine?

BRANDON PFAADT: Didn't you ask me that last week? (Laughter).

The way the routine works during the season, I think we just keep it the same. I'm not superstitious or anything. Whenever I wake up, I wake up. And I'll eat and just prepare for the game, whether that be game planning or getting my body ready.

Q. Obviously a lot has been made about everything you went through this season, with the send-downs and all that. Of all of that, what was the most difficult moment, hardest moment of the season for you?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think the hardest moment was definitely getting sent down. That's going to be hard for everybody. But I think it all depends on the way you take it, which road you want to take.

And I chose the road to the positive mindset and go down and work on things, get better and here we are. It all paid off.

Q. Was (indiscernible) the first time?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think both, honestly. I think both were similar, and we came back better.

Q. Have you spoken to Merrill about yesterday, what worked for him, that kind of deal?

BRANDON PFAADT: No, I kind of let him be yesterday. I'll talk to him today, I'm sure, and how he game planned. And, yeah, so probably have similar game plan and similar attack. So obviously it worked.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about Brent Strom and how he's affected you, changed things, got you to be pitching the way you are?

BRANDON PFAADT: Yeah, he was the focal point of it all. I think going down, he had a few things to work on, and he was dedicated to the process and so was I. And we kind of met in the middle and worked on those things and became a better pitcher.

Brent was awesome during the process. And we're still working on things.

Q. How do you feel now physically compared to, let's say, two months ago, because everyone say pitchers have to pitch late into October, now we're almost in November. How do you feel?

BRANDON PFAADT: I feel great, honestly. I think that's what you train for in the offseason is to last long, last until October, and I think it's all paying off from last offseason, the amount of work we've put in.

So I feel great. I know next week I'll have some downtime for sure. So I can put out one more week.

Q. Big picture, watching Merrill and Zac work on a day-to-day basis, what are some of the things that you've been able to take from them and apply to your game?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think ever since I got called up, heck, even during Spring Training, just even watching them work day in, day out, you can pick up on things, pick up on routines. You can ask them questions about their game planning.

And I think those two things have been huge for me and huge for my growth. Having those two guys at the top of the rotation have been key for not only me but for relievers to set that ground rule and show everybody how it's done. So they've been great.

Q. We've heard Torey Lovullo say multiple times a connected team is a dangerous team. From your perspective, how have you seen that connectedness grow throughout the postseason to get you guys here in this spot?

BRANDON PFAADT: I think it all came together during our losing streak back -- I don't know when that was. You saw the team come together. We had a team meeting, and we said, look, if we want to play in the postseason we need to start winning games now. I think that's really when we all came together and now in the postseason we're showing people that a connected team is a dangerous team and that we're all here for each other.