NL DIVISION SERIES: PADRES VS DODGERS

October 5, 2024

Jack Flaherty

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers

Pregame 1 Press Conference

Q. We obviously heard just the news of moving from Game 1 to Game 2 as the starter. Did that change anything in your routine? And how much are you looking forward to facing the Padres? And does the familiarity of the last outing, how does that help you in this one?

JACK FLAHERTY: Yeah, no, it doesn't change anything. It was one extra day. So for me just push the bullpen back one more day.

And, yeah, just we didn't know who it was going to be. But it will be fun, just like it was last year when we faced them. Just looking forward to it. Looking forward to what Yoshi's got today and how it goes. And just trying to piggyback off of that.

Q. How much are you embracing this opportunity that you have to not only pitch in the postseason again but to pitch for the Dodgers in this postseason?

JACK FLAHERTY: A lot. I've had some conversations over the last couple days with some family and some people close to me, just kind of putting it all into perspective and how kind of surreal and just crazy of an opportunity it is -- being from here, growing up here, coming to games here.

But it's different being able to be a part of it and be on this side of things.

I've been here for a playoff game with St. Louis, but it will be on this side. And to be a part over it here is different. It's just a lot of fun, at the end of the day.

I was looking back, like little young me, if I was to tell myself this: What would like 8-year-old me say? It would be pretty cool. So I'm just trying to enjoy it.

Q. Andrew was doing the press conference a couple of days ago and was asked about the fastball velocity, but he said that you're trying to kind of get your delivery all synced up. Do you feel like you've had enough time? Are you happy with where it's at in preparation for tomorrow?

JACK FLAHERTY: Yeah, you know, I think the last couple of starts we were working on a couple of things and trying to do a couple of things different. And we're going to be able to go and use my strengths as we go forward.

The velocity is going to be whatever it is. I don't know. It just comes down to executing. But we just put in the work over the week and try to figure some things out. And just try to be more consistent more than anything. Gotta locate the ball and spin the ball the way I want to.

Q. How significant of a mechanical adjustment has it been for you last week sort of working through some stuff?

JACK FLAHERTY: I mean, no different. I've gone through that stuff. I went through that stuff in Detroit. I had a couple of starts where we look at it and be, like, okay, didn't have that extra little juice to it. It was, like, I'd rear back and it might be 94. And we just look at it and make a couple of adjustments to it. I still had it in the beginning of the game against San Diego.

That was more about just slowing down and being, okay, we've got to go execute. Throwing hard's one thing but if you don't really know where it's going, it doesn't really suit you that well.

It all comes down to executing and going out there, competing and playing against a fun team.

Q. Having just faced this Padres lineup, what are the different challenges they present?

JACK FLAHERTY: It's a good team. They wouldn't be here if they weren't. It's a deep lineup, 1 through 9. They put really good at-bats together.

Pretty much a veteran team outside of Merrill. But he's playing out of his mind. The moment never looks too big for him, which is kind of rare, especially for as young as he is.

But it's a veteran team up and down the lineup. And they put good at-bats together one after another. And they feed off each other.

It makes it fun. You kind of want those challenges and you relish those opportunities to go up against a team like that.

Q. I know you pitched here in high school. I know it's on a much smaller stage in a way, but I guess at the time it was like the world. But your nerves now compared to then?

JACK FLAHERTY: It's not like nerves. You get excited for these opportunities and the chance to play here. You look at, in high school, I was really close with that group and those guys are family. I haven't been here too long, but these guys have taken me in and allowed me to come in and feel real comfortable here, which has been awesome.

Anytime you get to be a part of something like this and play for this city, it's special. It's a lot of excitement. And just like wanting to get out there and play and try and enjoy it. But also go out and compete.

These are fun. Postseason games -- it's going to be intense. There's going to be a lot going on. A lot of excitement with the crowd and the energy that they bring. And you just feed off of it, feed off of every single ounce of it.

Same way in high school. Same thing. Just a couple more people out there.

Q. Going back to what you were talking about as far as the way to attack the Padres, is that the biggest thing you want to get back to is the attacking and not shying away from the strike zone or anything like, just having that mentality of being on the attack?

JACK FLAHERTY: Yeah, just doing the little things right. Doing the little things right in the game. I think I've said that over the course of the last handful of starts. But went threw a couple of these in the middle of the year at Detroit, especially had some time off, came back, made some adjustments.

Just want to get on the attack and go right after them. But good team. Fun team to play against. They're going to bring a lot of energy. We're going to have a lot of energy. It's going to be a fun series overall.

Q. Understanding that every pitcher is different, what sort of intel or insight are you looking for as you're watching Yamamoto tonight facing the Padres?

JACK FLAHERTY: I want him to be himself and I'm just going to watch the game and enjoy it and just watch him go out do his thing and watch the bullpen guys come in right after and let this lineup go out and swing it against Cease. You've got stars all over the field. Kind of what everybody wants to see.

But in terms of trying to take anything away from it, we'll see. But just looking forward to Yama going out there and doing what we're supposed to do which is go out and make pitches until Doc says that's it. Just do everything that we can.