Kyle Hendricks Cubs pregame 4

Transcription

1 NL Division Series: Cubs vs Nationals Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Kyle Hendricks Cubs pregame 4 Q. When you're talking about a game that might never exist, is that something that you -- obviously you're a professional and you're doing it, but is it something you don't relish considering, you're hoping your team wipes the other team out tonight? KYLE HENDRICKS: Yeah, definitely. I think it's one of those mind-sets where you just prepare yourself for it no matter what for my mind-set. But on the other hand, obviously I've got full faith in my guys and I'm going to be out there rooting for them and hopefully we can get it done today. I think that you have to stay in that mind-set that you're going to pitch and be ready and get prepared mentally for that because the situation definitely could arise. Q. Last night's game, from your standpoint, what statement does it make that you guys don't play that great in the field, four errors, get dominated by Max Scherzer, and still win the game? KYLE HENDRICKS: Yeah, that just says a lot about our team. It's kind of what we've been doing all year. Goes back to last year even. This group of guys, they just never quit. Just put together good at-bats, no matter what had happened previous in the game. Yeah, we've gotten out-played for sure by that point, but it was still a 1-0 ballgame, Q was able to pitch his butt off and keep us in it. That's what these guys do, somebody gets down, somebody else picks them up, so we have a chance to win the game and that's what we're always trying to give ourselves. And then Rizz just getting it done late again. That's just what he does. Q. We've seen so many relievers used and a lot of starters yanked early; how much did the acquisition of Quintana help that and how important is the rotation still even in this era of bullpenning? KYLE HENDRICKS: It's huge. You win with pitching -- pitching and defense. If your starter can get you six, seven innings into a game, it takes a lot off your bullpen. Yeah, the acquisition of Q, though, he's been unbelievable. You see the work he's done in the regular season, but to go out there and perform, first Postseason game, that's really, really fun to watch. He's one of these guys that puts in the work, mentally and physically. He prepares better than anyone I've seen, really. He was definitely ready for that game. In this day and age, we're lucky to have the rotation we have and rely on that, but it's good to have all aspects. Our bullpen can pick us up when we need to but starters, we definitely want to try and get deep in the games and give ourselves a chance to win come seventh, eighth inning. Q. There's rain forecast. Can you talk about the difficulties Tanner and Jake might face? KYLE HENDRICKS: Yeah, I think that's just mental. Goes into mental preparation. You just have to prepare to go out there and make pitches for as long as you're going to be out there. It's a tough situation with rain. You don't know when the game could start; you don't know if it could get delayed. But that's really out of your control. Those guys, they have done it long enough. They have pitched in rain delays, pitched in rain games before. Should be nothing new. But the conditions, you definitely have to pay attention to it out there if the game ends up starting. I think position players are going to have a tougher time. They are usually making plays out there. For the pitchers, you have to go out and have your focus on making good pitches for as long as you're out there. Q. Your velocity has been noticeably higher your past few starts as opposed to earlier in the season. What do you attribute that to and how important is that to your success? KYLE HENDRICKS: I would say it's not that important for me honestly. I pay attention to it somewhat just kind of as a marker. It's more - the difference between my fastball and my changeup is where it comes into play. When my velo starts creeping up, it helps that out. Earlier in the year I think my mechanics were off, timing, especially, timing out of the glove just wasn't clicking for me out front. After going on the DL, I was able to come back and it took about four, five starts, I Rev #1 by #448 at :46:00 GMT page 1 of 2

2 would say, and my mechanics started to feel a lot better. Once that starts coming around, you feel you can start letting it go more. You don't have to think about you mechanics as much; it just becomes more natural. So I think it just became a little easier for me. And then the arm strength has been there, so that kind of has taken over, I think, late in the year. Q. Potentially if there is a Game 5, you've been biggame tested. How far does that take you mentally knowing that you pitched in the biggest stage and succeeded going into a game like that? KYLE HENDRICKS: Yeah, I think it helps a lot. You have to rely on your experience and having been in those situations. You know what the atmosphere is going to be like. You know what the crowd is going to be like. All those external factors, if you can kind of keep that under control, you know the pitching part. You know what to do once you get out on the mound. Being able to control all those external factors, I think, is going to be huge. But yeah, it will help me out. At the end of the day, it's just about making good pitches. That's where I need to mentally prepare, go out when it's Game 5, and just make good pitches. a lot from as far as how to work. He'll be prepared for this day I know for sure. Q. You talked earlier about how Scherzer and Strasburg are pitching so well this series and you came back to win those games. Where does that expectation of success come from? I'm sure every team believes in themselves but you seem to prove it? KYLE HENDRICKS: I think it comes from the clubhouse honestly. Starts with Joe, maybe the environment he creates, just letting us be ourselves. The front office has done such a good job of putting the personalities together in the clubhouse. Everybody, the focus is on winning no matter what. KB and Rizz are two of the best. The win at all costs really. And it's just given that last extra ounce that maybe the other guy wouldn't. Something about the personalities, I think, that's put together in that clubhouse, it's just a special feeling and guys are going to go behind each other and pick it up no matter what has to be done, really, just to win. That's the bottom line. FastScripts by ASAP Sports... Q. Do you still feel like you get overlooked despite all your big game success? KYLE HENDRICKS: Maybe a little bit. I mean, that's just how my kind of pitching, I guess, my kind of style. It's kind of how it always has been for me, just been an under-the-radar kind of guy. It doesn't bother me at all. Yeah, probably still happening, but I'm not the guy that's going to go out there and show all the emotion and throw 98. That's what the fans love, and that's fine with me. I just love going out there and competing, especially with this group of guys and doing whatever it takes to win. That's all I care about. Q. You see the way Jake prepares for his starts every five days. What have you seen him do to prepare that he's able to get ready for this start? KYLE HENDRICKS: Yeah, Jake knows his body probably better than any other pitcher I've seen, just what to do to get ready. Been doing a lot of hamstring activation stuff, and been doing a lot in the weight room to test and make sure it's ready to go for today. I saw his bullpen a few days ago. He was letting it go and looked pretty good. It's pretty normal preparation, outside of the fact of making sure that hamstring is good to go, testing it here and there. But he's got a solid routine in between starts, and he's a guy I learned Rev #1 by #448 at :46:00 GMT page 2 of 2

3 NL Division Series: Cubs vs Nationals Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Joe Maddon Cubs pregame 4 Q. What is it about Almora's makeup that makes him such a clutch player in the Postseason? JOE MADDON: He's a good baseball player. He has more opportunities as the years unwind, or moving forward. When he gets his 500 at-bats in a season, you're going to see that on a consistent basis, too. I think he stays ready. He's egoless. He knows his role right now. He's very good at hitting left-handed pitchers, and he's a good defender. He's just a great teammate. I think that all matters and on top of that, he's a good contact guy. He makes contact. He makes contact, even against righties. If his numbers aren't as good, he moves the baseball. In yesterday's game, you know, when it comes to really good pinch-hitters, as far as I'm concerned, I really like contact over power, and he does a really nice job with that. Q. We're in that weather situation thing, but do you feel fortified because you have potentially three starting pitchers tonight in Montgomery, Lackey, and Arrieta, and have you found out what it's going it take for Lackey time-wise to get ready? JOE MADDON: Yeah, with Lackey, it's not -- just a little bit more than normal. He's not going to need this whole elongated process to get ready. We talked about that the other day. Just give him a little extra time, a little bit more of a heads up. I've already talked to Boz to make sure we do that, so that's not going to be a concern. Regarding the starting pitchers for tonight, hopefully we just start the game knowing we're going to be able to play the game. It's difficult when you start a starting pitcher and then have to have him sit down after 45 minutes or an hour and then move on to the next guy or whatever. I don't know exactly what we're going to do yet, but I prefer -- I think everybody does, that if you start the game, you know you're going to be able to play the game, as opposed to having so many interruptions. Q. As far as having three guys, does that help you when you don't normally necessarily have that? JOE MADDON: Of course, having those guys within our group right now -- and I'm sure they have the same thing on their side -- it definitely aids that moment. But listen, Jake's really primed for this opportunity. He's done a great job of rehabbing his leg. He feels very good arm- and leg-wise right now. I'm real eager to watch him play. Hopefully if we do start the game, we'll be able to complete the game tonight. Q. I think you probably just answered my question for me, but if you're unable to play tonight would you stay with Jake tomorrow? JOE MADDON: Yes. Q. From your information, Jake's injury and the Scherzer injury, similar? And does seeing Scherzer as strong as he was last night do anything for your mind-set going into Jake's start? JOE MADDON: Well, I mean, I'm really impressed with what Max did yesterday. That was above and beyond. Didn't know what to expect. Maybe his original injury was not as severe as Jake's was, obviously. But the way he was able to deal with his body yesterday and still pitch at that level, that's pretty darn impressive. Now moving over to Jake, Jake's just had a longer time to rehab this whole thing. We brought him back slowly, about 75, 85 pitches for a couple starts, then moved him back right now to make sure that, if we get in this position, that he would be well and ready to pitch. I don't know, to the extent that they are exactly similar; I just feel good about where Jake is right now physically and mentally, because he is. He's mentioned how great his arm feels, also, based on the rest, too. So you have the combination of resting his arm, resting his leg. The big thing for me today or tonight would be just commanding of his fastball, having had this much of a layoff. Q. When you were in Tampa Bay, you talked about just embracing the idea of being in the AL East with all those big teams and you won. How do you translate the words and the philosophies to the actual results? Because anybody can say something. How have you been able to impart a sense of confidence that things are going to happen the right way? JOE MADDON: Well, I think you have to support it on a daily basis. I can't waiver. I mean, I've often talked about regardless of good or bad situations or moments Rev #1 by #448 at :05:00 GMT page 1 of 2

4 or winning or losing streaks, they have got to see the same guy walk in the door. In other words, I've got to back up what I'm talking about. I think communication is a big part of it. I've always believed that you want to build relationships through communication. You want to build -- for so many years, I think intimidation was the chosen route. When I was a young guy playing in the 70s, particularly football and baseball, I really appreciated the communicators coaching-wise, as opposed to those who tried to get their point across through intimidation. Communicatively, I think that's more lasting. Intimidation lasts for a brief period of time. Eventually that catches up to you. You have to be consistent with your message. The players have to believe in your message, and I don't want to use the word sell, but you have to really lay it out in a manner that makes sense and that they can embrace or empathize with, I don't know. So coming up the way I did, and playing for the people that I did, and a lot of it has to do with playing for the people that I didn't think did it right; and I never wanted to be like that guy. So all those things matter, and if it came down to one word, I would say it's consistency and approach through good and bad moments. They have got to see the same guy. I hope that's not an oversimplification, but that's what it comes down to. Q. We've seen a lot of managers go outside of the norm, bringing in starting pitchers in the middle of the game as relievers, etc. How hard is it to not go outside of the box and stick with what you normally do in these type of situations? JOE MADDON: It just depends, how hard is it -- The difference would be probably Wade going threeplus outs would be the biggest difference at the end of the game, but as long as these other guys are ready and available, I think it's wise from my perspective to stay with that same game plan. So I don't know; I really believe, and I've often talked about even taking another step in Spring Training. I want the same game played on March 15th as June 15th as October 15th. I've always said that. And I think if you really breed that kind of method internally within your group, then they will. They will go out there and play the same game, take chances, not be afraid of making mistakes; not being concerned about if something negative happens, that, oh, my God, the intimidation, the opponent, is going to come back to me and somebody is going to climb on my back because I made a mistake. I don't want that. I don't want that at all. I want it to be the same. I want less work when it comes to prep, quite frankly. When it comes to the boys sitting down with the defensive coaches sitting down with them, don't add anything. Don't try to be smarter. We do this every series. I've gone the other way, so I know; I don't like it. I know. Over-prepped, the over-thinking, the overeverything. I don't like it. I think you should simplify; if anything, when things get hot right now, the guys can't have a complicated message to hold onto. It's not going to work. They need a simple message they can go back to when it gets hot. Honestly, you could tell, I'm really a big believer in that. It's not -- I don't believe in changing anything right now. Q. Expectations from yourself? JOE MADDON: It just depends what you have. I can't see anybody better than C.J. in that moment or Stropy in that moment among our starting pitchers right now that might be available. Although like last year, for instance, in the World Series, brought in Jon Lester because I thought when you have Jon Lester in the bullpen, you utilize him under those circumstances. It just depends. I think you have to take everything into consideration. Really, I really -- like this pregame I just went through, I sit down with my stuff and I go through just like you do every other game. Now, say, for instance, C.J. is not available or Stropy is not available, then you might have to reach for something differently on that particular night. But if they are, I want to stay with tried and true. Rev #1 by #448 at :05:00 GMT page 2 of 2

5 NL Division Series: Cubs vs Nationals Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Dusty Baker Nationals pregame 4 Q. Obviously a little shuffling of the lineup today. What do you like about Werth at second and Harper third against Arrieta? DUSTY BAKER: Well, this is our most successful lineup that we had, but I was kind of waiting on Harp to get some more reps, get some more ABs, and to get a little sharper; and that's why. We had faced left-handers the first couple games, and so I shuffled and went back to our original. First time we've had that lineup in months since Harp got hurt. Feels pretty good. Q. Given the weather, if the game is rained out, will you stick with Tanner for tomorrow or will you go with Strasburg? DUSTY BAKER: We're not sure. So we don't know the weather, it's not raining yet, but they talk like it's going to really rain. So you know, we'll see. Q. Sometimes teams are facing elimination, might feel the need to try to do something different. Why is it important for you -- why is continuity important for to you stick with what you guys have done all year? DUSTY BAKER: Well, continuity is important, period. We never had a real long winning streak, but we played winning baseball. You know, this is the lineup that I like. This is the lineup that I, you know, have a lot of confidence in. I mean, I've got confidence in all our team, but you've got to come up with the lineup. So guys that have had more at-bats, had more reps, the law of averages are on some of our guys's side. You know, I believe in law of averages. I feel very good about our chances today. Q. Back to Strasburg. Would you talk about it with him? What would the process be like and would the guy who is starting tomorrow know when he left the field tonight? DUSTY BAKER: Yeah, that's a good question. The process would start between Mike Maddux and myself, and then we talk to Strasburg if we were serious about doing it. You have to, you know, change guys' bullpens around, because guys, especially at this time of year, you know, our guys are routine. They have their own routine. And you know, as of right now, you know, Tanner is pitching today, and so we'll make that determination if and only when the game is called. Q. Did Strasburg throw a bullpen yesterday or would he wait till today to throw in advance of a potential Thursday start? DUSTY BAKER: Well, he was walking out as I was walking out, so I'm not sure if he was going out to do a bullpen or not or throw or run. Like I said, he was walking out as I was walking in here, just moments ago. Q. How tough is the manager's job now compared to 20 years ago when you started? And being second-guessed for something that actually worked out, where a pitcher made a great pitch and was a catchable ball, how tough is that to swallow when in reality, what you did worked out? DUSTY BAKER: Well, that's another good question. The reality of it is, is that the only judge of -- it's only correct if it works. But that's not how it really is. And so you know, you can't control the outcome; all you can do is try to put people in a position to succeed. As far as the scrutiny and as far as social media and this and that, everything, I don't -- I don't read it. The best thing that I told -- I have to really stress that to my mom and my wife, you know, because they read everything and I don't read anything. I learned that a long time ago as a player when I was traded from the Braves to the Dodgers, and it was a big trade and I was the focal point of the trade from the Braves to the Dodgers. I hit like -- I hurt my knee playing basketball. I hit.244 that season. I think I hit 3 or 4 home runs, ended up on the bench, and I was booed every day. I mean, once I stopped playing, and then I was like -- you know, I wouldn't come out of the dugout; I would run to home plate so I wouldn't have to hear the boos because it's a long walk from the dugout to home plate in Dodger Stadium. Then they broke some lamps out at my house; they scratched my car, and people were very disgruntled over the fact that they even traded for me. Rev #1 by #448 at :17:00 GMT page 1 of 2

6 You know, I would go to the grocery store, like, oh, yeah, you're that guy we traded for. So what happened was, I had an operation, worked out that winter, and I hit 30 home runs the next year; we went to the World Series, end up making the All-Dodger team, and so then I learned not to let anybody control my selfesteem or my opinion of myself. Because I went from being the scorn of the town to being one of the heros of the town. And so I just want to remain in between and not have anybody control, you know, my self-esteem. And so therefore, you know, it doesn't matter to me; people can say what they want to say and think and write what they want to write, because I know what I'm about, and I have supreme confidence in myself. It is tough. But hey, the only thing -- I've always learned, the only thing you have to satisfy is God, family, and yourself, and those are three entities that you can't fool. Because you know if you did the right thing, it might not have turned out right. You know, I'm sorry that my kids are grown now because it was easier when they were young and you just go home, "That's all right, Dad." You struck out three or four times, "Dad, you're still the greatest." You know what I mean? Now it's a little different (laughing). My son has suggestions, my wife has suggestions. My son repeated something to me today that, man, I mean, for a teenager, to listen to your parents and quote you verbatim, I think I've done a pretty good job at home (smiling). And he texts me, of course, and he said, "Dad, this is already written. All you've got to do is believe it." "I'm like, man, that sounds kind of like me." Yeah, life's still good. Q. Both you and Max had mentioned that he might be available in relief in Game 5. How did he come out of it yesterday? Did you think that that would still be a possibility? DUSTY BAKER: Yeah, that's a possibility. I think that more came out of Max's mouth than mine, you know what I mean. Max has a loud voice and we listen to it. He came into my office today and, you know, he put up (raising one finger) "I'm ready" and I'm like, okay. Because we've got to protect Max. Our game plan last night was to have Max throw a hundred pitches. We were saying, we would be lucky if we got to a hundred pitches if he didn't feel his leg again or whatever. We had to be true to our word, even though, you know, it was a very, very, very tough decision. But that's the decision that we made. Q. This series to this point, it seems like lowscoring games, except for the one inning in Game 2. DUSTY BAKER: That's right. Q. Did you know coming in, these are two good pitching staffs, and it was going to be tough for hitters on both sides? DUSTY BAKER: Yeah, I mean, I knew, yeah, they are two good pitching staffs. Also, you know, on the hitter's side of things, we've both had four or five days off, which is enough to lose your timing for awhile. So I had no clue, especially when you come here. I mean, the wind and the weather conditions really control a lot of what happens in the ballgame. So no, I really didn't think that, especially over the course of time; I was a little bit worried the first couple days because you don't know how my team would respond not seeing live pitching. You know, the longer we play, I just feel the better our team will get back to what we do best, scoring runs. Q. Just what are you seeing in Trea's at-bats and do you sense he's pressing at this point? DUSTY BAKER: Well, probably. You know, I had a long talk with Trea this morning. Anybody that's been in the playoffs, especially a number of times, have had a tough playoff. I remember Orlando Cepeda, he was an MVP and he had an extremely tough playoff. I remember Dave Winfield had an extremely tough World Series. So it's not the first time that a guy has had a tough playoff. I had a tough playoff. I got in a fight the day before the World Series and hurt my hand, and I couldn't swing. But Lasorda told me that they needed me on the field, and I needed to be on the field. I remember that like it was yesterday, and we won the World Series; and I had to eat it and couldn't tell anybody. And then my dad, you know, I had to call him. That was the toughest call I had to make, and he goes -- and I thought my name was "Hard Head" until I was about 15 years old. (Laughter). So he says, "Hard Head, I told you about doing all that fighting." I said, "But dad, you know it wasn't my fault." You know how fathers are; it's always your fault. It's all good. Rev #1 by #448 at :17:00 GMT page 2 of 2

7 NL Division Series: Cubs vs Nationals Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Daniel Murphy Nationals pregame 4 Q. Daniel, what are they telling you guys right now about the weather tonight and about how to prepare and when you could be ready to go? DANIEL MURPHY: I haven't heard anything other than be ready for 4:30. First pitch, be ready. I think all of us have learned before that the weather says it's going to do one thing and all of a sudden you're six innings through a ballgame. So stay prepared. Q. How are you feeling? DANIEL MURPHY: What, like physically or with Jesus or -- (laughter). Q. You sounded yesterday when you talked to us like you were a little under the weather. DANIEL MURPHY: I was extremely excited Game 2 of the NLDS when Bryce hit that homer and Zimm hit his homer. I lost my voice. I feel good, though, physically. Thanks for asking. (Laughter). Q. This lineup you're using today was successful for you guys in the middle of the season. I know you like all the guys around, but what is it about this lineup that has made it especially productive? DANIEL MURPHY: To be honest with you, right now, Jayson deserves more at-bats than I do right now. He's had really good at-bats, especially yesterday. So to slide him into the 2-hole, he's swinging the bat really well right now, and so it seemed like Skipper wanted to kind of get him more at-bats and slot Bryce in the 3- hole. And Zimm is swinging the bat well, as well, too. And I think -- not that I deserve more at-bats than Tony right now, because he's swinging the bat well too and having good ABs. But I guess to stagger the lefties a little bit. We're able to go basically right, left, right, left, right, gets us to the 6-hole. Seems like what the Skipper wanted to do and hopefully we can go out and grind out at-bats. Q. You mentioned like you don't think you've had the at-bats that you could; do you change anything pregame preparation-wise when you're struggling a little bit? DANIEL MURPHY: No, I don't think so. I said it before. You just try to get a good pitch to hit and hit it hard. I haven't been doing either, so hopefully I can change that today and be able to get some traffic going in front of me and be able to cash in on that. My hat's off to the Cubs pitchers who are throwing the ball really well. I've probably gotten some pitches to hit that I've missed personally but continue to grind out atbats. The beauty of the Postseason is -- that I feel like Bryce showed us, and even Anthony yesterday, and Zimm -- is just one swing, it's such a small sample size, that one swing. Whether it be 0 for 3, 0 or 8, whatever it may be, not feeling good in there, you get one opportunity, and if you can cash in on it, it's kind of magnified in the Postseason. Q. The Cubs talk a lot about their confidence. Just wondering if you can tell any difference between them and the team that the Mets beat a couple years ago? DANIEL MURPHY: Only difference I've seen so far, scored more runs than the ballclub I'm on right now in the two out of the first three games. You know, I think that you look at Anthony and Kris, their entire lineup, those two guys, have really grinded out at-bats and swung the bat well. Pitchers have thrown the ball well. You know, I don't know if I would necessarily say I see a difference. I mean, they were both really good ballclubs. And so I don't want to demean one by praising another one more than, you know, more than the other. Q. At this point of the series, how do you see the difference between when you talk about trying to grind out an at-bat, the difference between pressing, or talk about if you have pitches to hit and you don't hit them, to keep from chasing a pitch that isn't a pitch you want to swing at. DANIEL MURPHY: Don't miss the one I get to hit would be a fantastic start for me personally. You know, this is so much fun. Even in the midst of what may perceived to be some struggling, not only by me personally, but you lose a ballgame yesterday, and hats off to the Cubs for the way they grinded out that win. But enjoy the moment. Like this is supposed to be fun. I'm fairly certain that a decade from now, none of you Rev #2 by #19 at :36:00 GMT page 1 of 2

8 guys are going to want to talk to me about this kind of stuff, and they probably won't let me play in the game. So I'd really like to enjoy the moment, whether it be positive or negative, in my eyes, and hopefully that can give not only myself but our ballclub the freedom to go out and play with joy and peace, no matter how big the moment gets. Q. Kind of a real general question. There's a lot of lefty relievers on both teams in the series. Is there any scenario where a left-handed batter would prefer a lefty on the mound over a righty at this level? Do you always want the opposite side? DANIEL MURPHY: I don't necessarily -- yeah, it's kind of a general question. You know, I guess the easiest way to start is with the way the Cubs have been throwing the ball, you're kind of picking your poison a little bit. I've faced Brian Duensing before in the regular season, had two or three at-bats, and I didn't have any success. Hendricks chewed me up and spit me out in the first series, as well, in the first game. Right-left, get a good pitch to hit, and don't mess it. Q. All managers are criticized, but Dusty seems to be more of a lightning rod than anybody, especially in this town. How would you characterize him as your manager? DANIEL MURPHY: I've truly enjoyed playing for Dusty. You know, he's very up front about what his expectations are, and as a player, there's really not much more you can ask from a manager than what's expected of you. You know, he's got us prepared to play every ballgame. You know, we lose a ballgame yesterday 2-1, and we score the run on a missed play in left field and then Ryan gets the base hit. We've got to score more runs. The pitching has been unbelievable for us, starting and relieving. away that's a strike and walk you off the plate as a lefthander hitter or keep it on there. And he's got an elite changeup; that, you know, it's just tough to see. I think the best thing about him is what he does is his ball has action so late. And so you have to kind of pick your poison: Like do I want to pick a spot and swing and hope that it does what I want to do it, and if it doesn't, you know, he may get my bat. He may break it. He does a really good job of working both sides of the plate, up, down, keeping you off-balance. Q. Dusty said after the first game that he thought that you guys were a little bit too patient at the plate, or he opined something like that. With this game being a must-game, do you tend to find yourselves second-guessing the pitcher out there because you can't be patient any more, you have to make a decision as to what you're going to do. Is that prevalent among you guys right now; that you have been too patient? DANIEL MURPHY: Yeah, I think -- what's your definition of patience? You know, swinging at an 0-0- pitch in the middle and getting a good swing off, to me, is being patient. I've patiently waited for a pitch in my zone and got a good swing off. If I don't get that pitch in the third or fourth pitch of the at-bat, is that more patient than being ready to hit and getting a good swing off 0-0. I think it still boils down to executing a plan against Jake tonight, get a good pitch to hit. I say this all the time, but it's really what it boils down to, be ready to hit, get a pitch in your zone, and get a good swing off. That would be 0-0 or 3-2 after 15 pitches. I don't necessarily think the 15-pitch at-bat is more patient than the 0-0 at-bat, personally. Offensively, we've got to score. That's where it starts and that doesn't fall on the manager. He's got us completely prepared for every ballgame. We have to go out there and see if we can put up some crooked numbers. Q. You mentioned Kyle Hendricks. What makes him so tough, and is part of it because you don't see a lot of pitchers maybe like him in baseball nowadays? DANIEL MURPHY: The thing about Kyle that he does a really good job of, it's the two sides of the plate; he kind of can change the shape of his fastball as well, too. So sometimes he'll bring one off the hip and other times he'll straighten it out in the air. Or he'll start the one Rev #2 by #19 at :36:00 GMT page 2 of 2