NL DIVISION SERIES: METS VS PHILLIES

October 8, 2024

Ranger Suarez

Citi Field

Philadelphia Phillies

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. What have you been able to work on since your last start that makes you feel confident you're going to get better results in the postseason this time?

RANGER SUAREZ: Yeah, we've been working on a lot of things since last start, basically on my mechanics, as well. My last start or my last adjustment was during the intrasquad game. I think we did a really good job on that one. I executed a couple of pitches and I felt good. I think I'm going to have that feeling tomorrow, as well.

Q. Rob mentioned that you pitched very well during the intrasquad game. What was the biggest difference for you there and how do you feel coming out of that game versus how you felt going into some of the September starts that you had?

RANGER SUAREZ: I felt good. I felt really good on that one. You know, what happens in September stays in September. It's time to turn the page. I just forget about it. I'm not thinking about it too much. We're in October now so it's a different atmosphere, a different vibe, as well. We're thinking about the now right now.

I'm just not getting stuck on those bad starts, just getting over them, turning the page over. We're October vibes, I feel good physically, and that's what I'm thinking right now.

Q. You said you made an adjustment during the intrasquad game. What adjustment did you make?

RANGER SUAREZ: I think it was mostly working on my legs during my windup on my mechanics. I think that I had to stay a little tighter, a little closer to my body with my legs, I think to get a better angle of where I was throwing the ball. So I think we did just that and I felt really good after. I executed that day and I feel good about it.

Q. They said you were going to work a lot on your delivery and have a lot of reps. I'm wondering if you did that and if you feel like you benefited from it?

RANGER SUAREZ: Yeah, I think it's definitely something I've been working on. And I think that's kind of helped me a lot, especially with having a little more life behind my ball, behind my pitches. I think working is going to help me with that, and also just going to help me build strength and stamina throughout the game. I think that's something that's going to be a part of it, as well.

That's some of the things that I can say about it, that we've been working on.

Q. So far in Games 1 and 2 we've seen some pretty elite performances from the other starting pitchers. Watching that from the sidelines, how does that light a fire under you to go out there and match that?

RANGER SUAREZ: Yeah, I think that the starts that we've had from our past two starters in Wheeler and Sánchy have been just fantastic. I think that just from all the team just watching them throw the ball, we're just inspired by them. We feel confident that when it's our turn to get on the mound we're going to try to do those kind of things. It just gives us confidence on having players like that, having teammates like that, gives us a lot of confidence that we're able to go out and do the same, as well.

Q. Over the past two years you had some big starts, Game 7, clinching games. Tomorrow you have either a possible clinch or potential elimination. What does it mean for you to pitch in those kind of games?

RANGER SUAREZ: I think that it doesn't matter the situation right now in which I'm going to pitch tomorrow, if it's to clinch the series or if it's just to win the game tomorrow. I think the best thing that I could focus on is just being my best self and giving a hundred percent of myself. It doesn't matter the situation we're going to be in tomorrow, that's just the mindset we have to have before heading to the field tomorrow.