MLB WORLD SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS RANGERS

October 30, 2023

Bruce Bochy

Chase Field

Texas Rangers

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. What went into the decision to flip Adolis and Evan in the lineup?

BRUCE BOCHY: More than anything, really, just to balance it out a little bit more, break up the lefties there.

I talked to both of them. They're comfortable in either spot. But keep it simple, that's all I did is break up the two lefties.

Q. Can you give us your thoughts on the roof being open?

BRUCE BOCHY: Yeah, I'm fine with it open. It's a beautiful ballpark when it's open. I've seen it both ways, just like our ballpark. Baseball's meant to be played outdoors. So I'm good with it.

I know, for a while, it was talked about that the ball carries better. I know a lot of their pitchers did not like it opened. So it was closed for the most part, but mainly for weather more than anything. But it should be a beautiful night. I look forward to seeing it.

Q. As you stand right now, what do you think your pitching plan is for Game 4? And is it safe to say if Jon Gray is not used today that he would start that game?

BRUCE BOCHY: No, I can't say that he would start the game. We have not determined that. A lot depends on what happens today. We have some candidates.

Is Jon one of them? Sure. We have some other candidates. But we'll get through this game and then we'll decide which way we go.

We have talked about it quite a bit. But that's where we're at right now.

Q. Given that Dane Dunning led the team in innings pitched, pitched well and pitched well down the stretch as well, what went into the decision to use him as a reliever here as opposed to lining him up as a traditional starter in Game 4?

BRUCE BOCHY: We started out with Dane in the bullpen, and what a great job he did. And he's doing a great job there now. It's a big part of the game.

We have leaned toward Andrew Heaney starting some of these games, with Dunning coming in after him.

Would we have confidence starting Dane? Sure, we would. Is he a candidate tomorrow? Sure he is. But he's done a terrific job wherever we've put him.

Used him the first two games. So that is a thought we have to keep in mind. So we have a lot of confidence in him, as you've seen.