NL DIVISION SERIES: PADRES VS DODGERS

October 7, 2024

Mike Shildt

Dodger Stadium

San Diego Padres

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Wanted to check in on Xander Bogaerts and how he's doing today after last night?

MIKE SHILDT: We're pretty optimistic. There was still a little bit of dehydration and he's going to be just fine. We don't feel there's anything that's going to compromise him. We'll find out more today after he gets treatment, but we're optimistic.

Q. Now that we know there will be a Game 4, do you have any update who will potentially start that game? And is it contingent on what happens in Game 3?

MIKE SHILDT: Not necessarily contingent upon Game 3. We have an idea we're going to finalize it today and announce something either today or tomorrow.

Q. Is Dylan Cease an option for that after short rest?

MIKE SHILDT: All options are on the table at this point.

Q. Now that you've had some time to kind of reflect on the first two games of the series, when you were at the Cardinals around one of the most classic rivalries of the game, how at this point in time do the Dodgers and Padres kind of compare?

MIKE SHILDT: First of all, the geography creates a natural rivalry, enthusiasm amongst two fan bases. So that's very unique and exciting and fun to be a part of and experience.

As far as reflection of the first two games, hard fought games. I was really pleased with how our guys responded yesterday, not only coming back from being down a game, but also the circumstances during the game. It allowed us to, we're a very close team, but it created a deeper bond with our club.

Q. Speaking about that moment, just Manny Machado, the leadership that he showed in the seventh inning, and just what kind of leadership have you seen from him in this season that you've been with the Padres?

MIKE SHILDT: Leadership can be in a couple different ways. Manny's done a tremendous job. I'm really of him. I'm really grateful for him. He's really taken some of the next steps and been a leader.

But the two forms are by your actions which Manny has done extremely well, how he goes about it, how he takes care of himself, how he takes care of his teammates, how he plays the game. The actions speak louder than words.

Last night demonstrated, he did a really nice job of being able in a very different environment, you know, you could say hostile, a lot of emotions going on, just making sure that everybody was staying present and focused appropriately.

And he used his words and his words were very well-delivered. So I thought it was an excellent job of Manny showing that he's a leader of this club.

Q. After that win last night, the emotional win, what was it like just coming back here on the bus or cars or however you guys got here? What was that feeling like?

MIKE SHILDT: A sense of satisfaction. Like I said, there's wins and there's wins. It was a nice win to be able to come back. We come back to our park with a split. Feel good about that. Broke the home-field advantage.

Sense of satisfaction, like I said, the way we competed, the way we stayed together, the way we played baseball and executed. There was a sense of accomplishment there.

It was a little bit of decompression to get ready to do it again.

Q. Your thoughts on the offensive performance of Fernando Tatis, what he's doing, 9-of-14, no strikeouts over the postseason, and his personality what it brings?

MIKE SHILDT: His personality, I love the personality of our club. I love the fact that they're unique and they're themselves. All our guys are free to be them, but they do it in a team setting with their teammates at the forefront of it.

But Tati has just a beautiful personality. He's a showman that has amazing ability but respects the game highly.

As far as what he's doing, he's letting his ability take place. He's doing a lot of good hunting. What I mean by that he's getting balls he can put swings on and not trying to do too much with it.

He's taking his walks, but everything he's doing is in the zone. And he's just looking to put good swings on the baseball. And he's playing good in every facet.

He made a great play yesterday on a ball in the gap. Been a force on the bases and clearly taking great at-bats.

Q. You obviously know the character of your group having been around them. The way they responded to everything last night, what's that say to everybody else just about the makeup of your group?

MIKE SHILDT: It just reinforces what I've known, we've known as a group. All we can control was our own, the way we deal with business, but this is a group that's going to show up and is going to compete regardless of circumstances.

That's one of the reasons we got here. Day game, night game; cold, hot; win, lose -- we win, we want more; we don't win, we expect to win the next day. It's just about staying in the moment and getting after it.

Q. I know it probably feels like a while but Michael king in that last game against Atlanta, obviously great. What stood out not only the way he threw the ball but just his presence that night?

MIKE SHILDT: Great presence. Michael has great presence. He's demonstrated that. We knew that coming in until we got from New York. That's part of the reason I was comfortable with A.J. wanting to acquire him. His makeup and his competitive spirit is something that was coveted. His stuff is outstanding as well.

I've just appreciated how he's carried himself, how he's competed. He's a nice, quiet competitor, but he's got some real fire to him. But he showed up and was able to harness all those emotions and go out and execute.

Once you do that, your stuff is allowed to play, and his stuff is really, really good. The ball moves tremendously. The two-seamer's, you look at it, it's like, wow, that's really nasty. And he's got the sweeper that's got some big-time action to it. And the change-up is nasty. He can equalize righties and lefties. He's got the complete package.

Q. Following up on Tati, he has such a great innate ability to barrel the baseballs. When he stays with himself the ball tends to fly a long way. When he gets in trouble, the swing gets a little long. Have you reinforced to him during the hot streak just keep doing what you're doing; you don't have to hit it another 50 feet?

MIKE SHILDT: I don't think we need to reinforce it. Tati is a veteran guy in this league and has had some experiences. I know Vic gives him a Q or two, or maybe his dad to remind him.

But quite candidly he's self-aware what he's doing and when he's at his best. I think we all need an occasional reminder, but it's not anything in the forefront. We trust Tati completely.

Q. Higgy obviously has had a big impact offensively, three home runs in four postseason games. Could you elaborate on what Higgy brings on the other side of the game behind the plate, working with this pitching staff and what he's done in that sense all year?

MIKE SHILDT: He's been fantastic. He's done a job of being an extension of myself. It's a big part. Always feel like there's a connection with a -- catcher/manager relationship is important.

There's also a really healthy relationship and a connection with Ruben. They talk a lot and talk through game planning. Peter Summerville, too, does some of our game planning.

But Ruben and Higgy are in lockstep, do a lot of really good communication back and forth. It's two-way. It's not top-down. And same with me, we exchange share our ideas and thoughts and finally the most important thing is his relationship with the pitchers. That's the most important relationship is making sure he's synced up with them. They all feel comfortable with him and he's working with them on how they want to use their stuff and how they're going to attack guys. He's just got a great demeanor about him as well. Tremendous asset in the clubhouse, great guy, great energy, great personality, but really smart, and done a really good job of shepherding our staff.