Mariners ALDS Workout Day News Conference

Mariners ALDS Workout Day News Conference

Hi, Dan. Hello, Ryan. How are you? Good. I’m not going to ask you about your mustache. Thank you. You got uh you got your starters lined up. Can you announce your starting pitchers for the next two games? Yeah. Uh games one and two. Uh George Kirby will start tomorrow. Um and then the Rock, Luis Castillo, will start on Sunday for us. um you know, as we’ve talked about before, um you know, we feel like our entire u starting staff is is uh you know, so solid and uh you know, we’re excited to send those two guys out the first two games and and uh um you know, we uh just know that all our guys um you know, we feel like we have faith in everybody and and uh but these two guys will be starting and and excited to get those guys out there uh in front of uh the home fans here at T-Mobile Park and and uh you know just the excitement that comes from games games games one and two I think uh you know it’ll it’ll be an energyfilled couple of days. Yeah. Are there any other factors to when you how you slotted home road split? Yeah I mean you know you look at a lot of things I think you know that’s the key is is uh trying to take in all the information. Um you know rest becomes a factor how how long it’s been between you know when they’ve pitched uh some of those things. You know we’ve had a chance to get some rest this week which has been beneficial for everybody. Um, you know, you look at, you know, I think both of these guys have have stacked up pretty well against Detroit this year. Um, as as have our other guys and um, so I think, you know, again, um, we’ve looked at a lot of different things and and, uh, we’re excited that, uh, it’s going to be George and and the Rock. Go in the front to Dan. Dan, how much did their success here in Seattle pitching at T-Mobile also play into it and maybe some of their challenges on the road as well? I mean, you know, you do you look at some of those those factors again, you know, how they how they perform at home on the road. Um, you know, what they’ve done against uh, you know, certain teams, whatnot. Um, and again, you know, some of those factors play hard, some of them don’t. And and, uh, uh, we we’ve tried to take it all in and and, uh, you know, I think, again, we know all our guys, you know, pitching is starting pitching is one of our strengths. And um we we we trust anybody that goes out there to to give us a solid outing and and uh um we’re just you know right now uh the way things stack up it’s it’ll be George in game one and the rocking too. Taran in the front uh you know Logan has said really multiple people on the pitching staff have said that this is a team of five day one starters. You know between Logan starting the season this year, Lewis last year, George now with the playoffs. just you’ve talked so much about the depth the pitching staff has given you, but how does that help when you find yourself in these situations when you really have just so many options to choose from that you’re confident in? Yeah, I mean, you know, we we’ve talked about it uh you know, being somewhat of a luxury that that you can run, you know, uh anybody out there that’s going to give you an incredible outing and um you know, we’ve we’ve done it all season long. Um and uh these guys have have delivered as as they have. And um you know, again, this is going to be uh this is no different. Um uh we’ve got, you know, uh four guys that we’re going to be able to run out in this in this series that that are going to uh give us outstanding outings and and uh we feel good about that. We’re we’re excited about that. And um you know, I think uh our focus really is getting ready for tomorrow night and and being ready there. Go to Tyler in the middle. Hey Dan, how did uh Brian Woo come out of yesterday? And will he be on your roster? Yeah, uh Brian, you know, threw the ball well. Again, that was, you know, um a step forward for him yesterday. You know, kind of according to plan and where we’re at. uh going to continue to see how he feels today when he gets here for the workout and and uh um again, we’ll continue to to um you know, gather that information from him and his health. And um you know, we’re going to make those decisions uh later today and and uh you know, in terms of the roster as well. Um you know, those are things that we’re still waiting on and and uh we’ll we’ll put it all together once we get all the information together this afternoon. Go to Tim here in the front. And you obviously have a couple good pitchers still available. Is is it safe to assume Logan for game three or have you gone down the road that far yet? You know, we’re just looking at games one and two right now and and um you know, I think uh like we said, we’re excited. We’re excited about who we whoever we send out there. Um but right now our focus games one and two here at home. Uh getting started tomorrow night, getting started on the right foot and and uh um you know, that’s where our focus is. We’ll stay on the right with Adam. Going back to George, just what have you seen out of him in particular over the last month or so? Obviously a really strong finish for him to end, you know, kind of a difficult year otherwise. Yeah. Um, you know, I think we saw some uh really good outings from from George late in the season. Um, you know, as we’ve talked about, you know, his ability to attack the strike zone. Um, you know, I think we saw something um in George, especially, you know, all our guys really kind of find that mental spot and that mental space to go to and and really compete and George was able to do that, you know, down the stretch. um and uh uh his ability to attack, his ability to put guys away. He’s had some big outings uh you know, for us along this stretch and in our in you know, during our streak there towards the end. Um and uh you know, it was a it’s just a good spot for him to go out there again and and uh you know, continue that same mode that he’s been in. Stand right Katie Dan, famously George was the last pitcher to take the mound here at T-Mobile in a playoff situation and obviously there’s some unfinished business there. what was his reaction when you told him and how excited do you think he is to get out there? Yeah. Um, you know, I think uh all these guys are excited about about getting out there. Um, and um, you know, you I think when you look at this kind of a playoff setting and and uh the atmosphere that they’re going to be in, uh, it does elevate you to different places and having some experience and and you know, learning how to take that and make it a positive for you. Um, sometimes it can it can take you in the wrong direction, but I think these guys having the experience they’ve had uh in the past helps them to to turn it into the positive direction. And I know these guys are really looking forward to taking the mound um and and and you know, using that emotion in the right direction and and uh you know, that’s obviously a big motivator. It’s, you know, not just for pitchers, position players, too. take that energy, take that uh excitement that comes from being in the playoffs and and being in October baseball and uh you know, learning how to channel that in the right direction. We’ll stay in the middle with Nico. Thank you. Uh similar question to what Kate just asked, Dan, but uh George started that game as a rookie, shut out the Astros in that game. What is it about his makeup that makes him really kind of cut out for these big moments like this? Yeah, I mean, you know, uh again, I think George, uh has has the ability to kind of slow things down in some ways and and the way he approaches it. Um you know, he he finds the ability to to slow the moment down, slow the game down a bit and and uh go and do what he does. You know, we’ve talked a lot about identity throughout the course of the year. I think George is very tuned in to who he is as a pitcher uh and what he does well, his strengths and and uh when you’re in these moments. Uh it’s it’s the time to rely upon your strengths and and uh that’s what George does so well. Tack the strike zone, gets ahead, gets you know uh hitters into tough counts and and uh um that’s what you know good pitchers do. That’s what George does and and that’s what he’s able to do even in the big moments. Go on the back left, Shannon. Dan, what has it meant to have Hi. Hello Shannon. What has it meant to have the rotation healthy in terms of how well they’ve worked together in between starts and have really fed off each other down the stretch? And also, is it going to be a little bit of a benefit that guys like George, guys like Logan are kind of blowing the innings for where they’ve been in recent years? Yeah, that always helps. Um, I think, you know, not having been taxed quite as much uh this season will will help as we keep getting deeper into October. Um, and uh, you know, we’ve talked so much about this pitching staff, the uniqueness of the pitching staff and and the bond that they have between themselves. Um, you know, their their ability to push each other, uh, their ability to to encourage each other and and hold each other accountable. I mean it’s a special group and um you know I think uh the combination of all of them uh is is you know it’s what makes teamwork work uh in a lot of ways is is is just their ability to to be there for one another and and u you know I think I know they’re all excited for for each other. They’ll all be pulling for each other and pushing each other as as we get into this you know in October. Go to the middle. Ryan, Dan, uh, you guys haven’t played the Tigers in quite a while. Um, but the philosophies that AJ has are still pretty much the same. What his willingness to go with his platoon and his matchups? What kind of challenges does that present late in games when you have your bullpen and you’re looking at guys? Yeah, I mean, you know, again, we uh um you know, you have to weigh everything when you’re making those kinds of decisions and and bullpin decisions obviously um are are are some of those that you make. And um I think that the good news there is that uh you know, as we say with our starters, we also say with our bullpen guys, we we love the guys that we’re able to put in there in those situations. Uh you know, regardless of of where the platoon sits and and obviously you want to try to match up as best you can. Um, but there are times where it doesn’t match up and and uh we we know our guys and can trust our guys in those situations as well. So, I think we’re, you know, again, um, because of the rest we’ve had, because of the experience we’ve had this year, um, we’re we’re we’re in a really good spot here and and, uh, you know, it’s it’s it’s go time. We’re getting excited about tomorrow and getting started again. We’ll stay in front with Terren. in uh Georgia’s last start, he talked about uh tweaking his sinker a little bit and you know, we saw how that played out. Just at this point in the season where you know almost at the end going into the playoffs, how difficult is that for a pitcher to make uh an arsenal adjustment like that and implement it and you know from your experience as a catcher? Yeah, I mean I think uh you know again baseball’s you know always a game of adjustments. That’s just that’s what we do. And and uh you know, I don’t think you’re going to make major overhauls here before October starts. Uh but you can make minor ones and and uh you know, whether it’s a hitter putting his hands up a little higher, something along those lines, uh you know, you make the adjustments you have to make and and uh I think uh you know, George was able to make that one and and uh I think again it’s something that works. It’s tested. Um but uh you know, this game is full of adjustments. It’s just not a time to make overhauls. Um but at the same time um you know understanding that uh uh you have to do what you have to do and I think George understands again his identity and what he needs for that and uh you know that’s it’s been a big strength for him. We’ll come back on your rights to Tim. Dan, you got a chance to see Emerson out of in that role out of the pen a little bit in in September. I’m just wondering what what stood out about him making that transition to to the pen and how his stuff maybe played differently than him as a starter. Yeah. Um you know I thought Emerson handled it all very well. That’s not an easy adjustment as we’ve talked about, but uh you know obviously a VO tick in in the positive direction I think was something that that we love to see. Uh I thought that you know sort of helped play his change up a little bit better and and when he was able to locate that and keep it down uh the velocity and the change of speeds worked well. I thought his sweeper actually looked really good um you know as well and I think it has helped that some um and and uh we were able to see that when he got a little bit more extended out u in the longer um you know outing that he had. So um you know I think a lot a lot has been thrown at Emerson here towards the end of the season and I think uh again you talk about adjustments and making those adjustments. He’s done a really good job of it and and uh um you know has has has given us his best year towards the end and it’s it’s been really good. Anything else for Dan? All right, Dan, thanks for coming in. Yeah, thanks. Hey, how Jeff Lance, thanks for coming in. Yeah, to see you. Started with Cal Raleigh wants to lead off for Cal going once. We’ll start with Ryan in the front. Cal, they announced that uh George is going to start game one. You’ve seen him the last month. What makes you confident that he’s ready to handle this and pitching well? Uh yeah, I mean, you know, this last month’s been great. Um really been hitting his stride really well and, you know, we all know it’s been there. You know, it’s just, you know, fighting those injuries, trying to get into that consistent routine. Um, you know, and just kind of getting back into that, you know, mentality and that kind of uh routine. So, you know, we we’ve seen him do it before in playoff games, uh, both out of the pin and starting. So he’s he’s uh he’s done it before and you know I have a lot of confidence in him going uh tomorrow. Go in the middle with Nico Cal. Certainly the one of the things you’ve mentioned so much with this team is how you guys have that ability to take it day by day and that’s what’s made this group special. How do you balance that with obviously looking around and seeing how different it is now in this playoff atmosphere? Yeah, I think I think obviously number one, you know, enjoy it, take it in. We’re going to have a lot of fun and enjoys enjoy these games. Um, you know, it’s what you play for all year and this is this is the time where uh it gets fun. You know, everybody’s going to be on their feet. It’s going to be a packed house. Uh, it’s going to mean just a little more obviously beginning of the playoffs. So, you know, we’re excited and, you know, it’s just, you know, finding a way to, you know, take a deep breath here and there and just, you know, resetting yourself every once in a while, every inning or so or um and just getting back to the basics and trying to keep it trying to keep it just like a a regular game, which we obviously know it’s not, but um you know, like I said, finding way to to get back to to even and you know, taking that deep breath. So, go in the back middle, Tyler. Cal, for you, as the season went on and and you know, your home run totals escalated, did you notice a change in how pitchers approached you and and if you were getting less to hit, how did you make sure that you, you know, didn’t miss the one pitch you might get? Yeah, I mean, there was multiple times this year, uh, you know, it’s it’s a cat-and- mouse game. It always has been, it always will be. Um, you know, it’s happened multiple times. Maybe this year it just happened a little a little more frequently than often. And um it’s just understanding, you know, we got I got good hitters behind me. So, not trying to, you know, expand too much, not trying to feel like I have to, you know, get the job done myself or I have to hit this amount of home runs or whatever it is. It’s it’s knowing that, you know, I go up there swinging good pitches, try to hit the mistake like I always have and uh you know, try to keep it as simple as that. And also, how did you how have you been able to utilize this this ballpark? I mean, we know it’s a pitcher ballpark, I guess, but you hit so many fly balls um more than most guys do. Did you tail your swing to hit fly balls in this park knowing that you have the power to get it out of there? Not really. Um you know, uh obviously I know my swing is my swing and you know, when things are going good, I’m getting extension and uh when I get extension, usually uh you know, it’s when you’re hitting line drives and balls in the air. So, uh, it’s kind of what I’ve always tried to do. Um, you know, not trying to lift, more so just trying to get extended. So, um, I I wouldn’t say I’ve tailored it necessarily to this part cuz it’s not really a great part to hit part to hit in in general. So, um, you know, just trying to put good swings on it, trying to hit the ball hard, and, you know, the rest took care of itself. Go to Ryan in the front. Cal, the last time you played the Tigers, you had gotten swept in New York. You went into Detroit and swept them right before the All-Star break. What do you remember about that series as about how you guys played in that series? And can you really take anything away from it considering it was right before the All-Star break? I mean, yeah, it’s been it’s been a long time. That’s that’s a really good team over there. They’ve been playing they’ve been obviously they hit a little skit at the end of the year, but you know, it happens to to every team and we know that, you know, we’re going to have our hands full this series with them. They’re a really good ball club. You know, they do a lot of things exceptionally well. uh you know, bat the ball, you know, really good staff, good bullpen. Um so, you know, we’re uh you know, obviously we won the we won the series, but you know, we don’t really put too much stock into that because everything’s different this time of year. So, um like I said, we’re going to have have our hands full. They’re a very good ball club and, you know, looking forward to to the series and you know, this time of year it’s it’s not going to be easy no matter who you face. So, come on. You’re right to Dan. Cal, I think it’s been just a little over six months since you were sitting right here uh for the contract extension press conference. What has this past six months been like for you? Just the whirlwind of, you know, the historical milestones, the all-star week, you know, winning the West, just what’s been just the roller coaster that of an experience for you. Yeah, it’s been I mean, it’s been a crazy year. Um, you know, first off, I mean, obviously getting to win the West, you know, last week was was something super special and, um, you know, something we haven’t done in 20 plus years and it was just nice to to enjoy it with the guys, you know, let the guard down. um really just celebrate with him and um you know like I said something that hasn’t been done in a long time so it it meant a little more you know doing that and um you know doing that was amazing and yeah with the rest of the stuff you know contract and then everything that kind of you know came after that with the hot start and then uh you know the home run derby and you know what felt like you know every single day um you some stat being thrown around there, it being talked about, you know, on TV or whatever. So, it was just crazy. Something I never thought would happen and something don’t really have much word. It’s just been been a been a crazy kind of ride this year. So, going to left turn you mentioned at the end of the regular season wanting to just instill to the rest of the clubhouse like stay in your routine, just keep doing what you’ve been doing. we’ve seen in the past couple scrimmages you the lineup especially, you know, doing what it does, you know, scoring with the homer, but also just getting on base and hitting in a variety of different ways. Just what have you noticed from the team uh over this over this buy, especially considering how this is a position that a lot of guys in the clubhouse hasn’t haven’t been in with the buy? Yeah, I mean, um I uh honestly the last two days I thought went really well. Uh went pretty smoothly. You know, I thought it was good that guys were were treating it kind of like a game situation. We were able to get out there um you know, from all the small details, you know, having, you know, people in the stands, uh you know, the the PA announcer, the jumbotron on in full full uni. So, just the small things like that. It was it was good to kind of just simulate a game and get out there and and guys were taking it pretty serious. You know, guys weren’t, you know, um up there just hacking first pitch every time. We we’re were working counts. uh working situations and you know try to put the the bow on it today. You know finish up all the prep and and uh you know get ready for tomorrow. Go on the back left. Shannon Cal, you’ve got a lot of playoff experience on your team up and down the roster and with the starters and the bullpen as well, but what about the group that was there in 22, the experience that you guys had? What do you take from that and take into this this time? Yeah, I mean um you know with the you know winning winning the wild card getting to the DS last time obviously we’re in a little different position this time and and um I think just you know hopefully we can take something from it. You know not taking anything for granted. Um you know we played three tough games but we just weren’t able to finish those those games against the Astros a couple years ago and and understanding that you know it’s uh it’s important to finish. it’s important to stay locked in, things like that. And um you know, hopefully we can combine that with obviously having a few other guys here as well who have been in the playoffs. Naylor um you know, the big one that’s kind of included in that. So um you know, we have guys that have been here before, which is which is nice, but we know that you know, just not being satisfied and trying to you know, finish the job is going to be important this time. Going on your second row on the right here, Katie Cal. The stat cast numbers on Kirby’s sinker don’t look all that different, but he does. He has talked about how he’s made a grip change and obviously, you know, just looking in the field, you see 14 punch outs. Uh, from your perspective, what is different about that pitch than in years past as you’re saying? Uh, I mean, I don’t really see a big difference in it. Um, you know, I know pitchers are always, you know, it’s the same thing with hitters. Like, you know, uh, sometimes you lean so far one way with a grip and then you got to kind of go the other way with it. Um, just to kind of get that that movement profile back. So, he’s he’s done a great job. You know, I think for him it’s it’s always come down to the the locating. You know, I think the stuff’s always been there. Um, but I think this over this last month, he’s done a really good job locating and he’s found that confidence with it. And um, you know, whatever it is, you know, uh, whether it’s a it’s a a grip situation or some queue that he has going on, it’s it’s doing uh doing what it’s supposed to right now, for sure. We’ll stay on the right with Dan K. You’ve talked for years about your appreciation for the fans here. How much do you feel like this year in particular, you’ve really connected with them more as your public profile continues to grow? Yeah, I mean they’ve been they’ve been great all year long. You know, they’ve they’ve been great, you know, years prior, too. So, it’s not like this is uh you know, a new thing or anything. It’s just um you know, it’s uh it’s kind of taken on a different a different level maybe than years past. And they’ve been they’ve been amazing and we’re really looking forward to to seeing them this week. I know they’re excited for this weekend and it’s going to be a a fun weekend for sure. Anything else for Cal? All right, Cal, thanks for coming in. Thanks guys. George Kirby should be in momentarily. What’s that? Yeah, he’ll fix it. No, no, he’s good. Yeah, it’s really pretty. It’s a little windy. It was so smart. if you can. Sure. All right. Thanks for coming in, George. We’ll get started with Ryan in the front row again. Hey, George. What’s up? Uh, just what was your reaction when Dan told you you’re going to start game one of the division series and kind of discuss your thoughts about it? Yeah. Um, I mean, for one, I was super honored. Um, you know, it’s a, you know, it’s a big game and, uh, yeah, something you always dream of being able to start game one or, you know, or any game in the playoffs for for that matter. But, uh, yeah, I’m super excited and, uh, you know, ready to ready to take the ball tomorrow and, you know, go out there, get them all. Stay in the right with Tim. You you knew you were going to throw at some point, but, were you surprised at all to get the call for game one? Uh, no. I wasn’t surprised. I think it’s a good idea. We’ll go with Dan on the right. George, you’ve talked after your last outing about just kind of the focus on the mental side of the game. How much has that helped you over the past month or so? Yeah, it’s uh it’s been super helpful. Um like I said before, kind of just, you know, being able to, you know, just write something down. Um, you know, just kind of the idea is just, you know, get your feelings out, kind of don’t leave anything on the table. And, um, kind of just allows me to forget about a lot of things, you know, whether it’s the, you know, bad game or, um, just some like stress or anxiety leading up to something. It kind of just uh, allows me to get a little freedom and kind of, you know, just worry about the game instead of, you know, everything else that goes along with it. So, um, just being control is kind of the only thing I can control and then after that, you know, it just gives me more confidence and stuff like that. So, go to the middle with Tyler. George, the uh the Mariner pitchers are always been so good at, you know, attacking the strike zone and throwing strikes. Um, and you personify that. Um, how is it how how were you guys able to be so confident in the zone and how did that approach kind of resonate with your mentality when you when they started emphasizing that in the minors? Mhm. Yeah, I mean since day one uh we always, you know, heard just dominate the zone and, you know, like quality strikes in the zone. Um, I think they did a really good job of just hammering that in our minds. And then all of us, that was kind of the identity a lot of us had before we, you know, got with the Mariners. But, um, I think it allowed us to do is just confidence that you can just beat people in the zone, that you don’t need to expand so much. And, you know, hitting’s hard and, um, you just have that, you know, go at them type mentality. you know, more times than not, you might win that battle. And you know, what they’ve always said, like 94% of the time, you throw a first pitch strike, you got either get the ball back or it’s out. And uh, you know, a lot of people take that to heart. So, I think it’s one, just them pushing that mentality into us. And then two, just, you know, everyone has unbelievable confidence in the themselves and their arsenal to get guys out. Go in the front. Taran, last time you guys faced the Tigers, it was right before the All-Star break and, you know, since then, starting rotation has gotten healthy. Everyone’s kind of really hit their stride. Just what do you think you guys can take from from that series before the All-Star break and apply it to the team you guys are now, even with the lineup with the additions of Naylor and Gino? Uh, yeah. Yeah, I mean obviously having nails and Gino back in the lineup is awesome, but uh I think you know it’ll be good to go over game plans from then, but you know right now playoff time kind of the you know you kind of get rid of your ego and you know everyone’s just playing for one you know goal is just to win a game. So kind of however we can do that give our team best chance to win. Um but that that’s kind of the mentality. So go to Ryan in the front. George, I’m curious about the journaling and did burn turn you on to that? I know a lot of other players do it. And when you’re writing stuff down, are you writing 10 words? Are you writing 10 pages? Like does it vary? I mean, like, cuz you you talk about it being really helpful. I just didn’t know kind of what the process is when you do that. Yeah, I think um the best thing is just to, you know, don’t try and write the perfect thing down. You kind of just spew everything out. Um just feels the best that way. You know, you don’t leave anything in the tank. So, and then whether grab him to talk about it or whatnot, but um yeah, you just kind of just let everything out and paper and you know, it just feels a lot better. We do too. Yeah, pretty pretty much. We’ll stay in front of Tim. Uh you obviously got some experience in 22 going through the the postseason. I’m curious, what were your sort of takeaways when you look back on that? Things you learned and experienced in that in that playoff run. Uh man, I mean just I mean just just enjoy enjoy the moment I think is the biggest thing. You know playing 162 games just getting in the playoffs itself is a huge accomplishment. So just kind of being grateful for that and then um honestly the the adrenaline is just my favorite part. like most of the time you’re going to have your best stuff you know at this time of the year getting in these games and um you know just having the fans behind you your teammates behind you just you know everyone kind of just coming together and you know just getting after it um was kind of my favorite part and uh just like the close battles everything everything about the playoffs is awesome so I’m excited going the back left to Chris uh Shannon George, the rotation had some struggles this year, particularly with health. And then getting back into it, where do you see them right now? How did they get there? And will we see your knuckle ball? Uh, probably won’t see the knuckle ball in the playoffs. But, um, yeah, everyone, you know, all the starters right now, they’re feeling good. Um, everyone’s in a good good spot, you know, healthwise. Um, you know, hopefully Woo Woo’s been doing really well, too. we could see him back. Um but uh yeah, I think you know just like the rest of the team, we’re all just kind of playing really well at the right time and uh everything’s clicking. Guys are playing free and um kind of just enjoying the moment and you can you can really see it too. It’s not some like you might just say, but like you can actually feel it too, which is really cool. We’ll go to Adam in the front right. George, going back to the injury for you in particular early in the season, how did you navigate that your first time on the injured list in in your career and just at what point did you feel like you were right again this season? Yeah. Um, yeah, it it’s never good being on the whatever being hurt, but um yeah, it kind of takes a little bit, you know, just to kind of trust your body again and um just have that same sort of confidence. But um I don’t know. I guess when you’re you stack a couple good games and um kind of you know limit some uh I don’t know like the more you go just the more you feel better you know you start hitting corners better all that kind of stuff. So, I think just limiting damage in certain areas, stuff like that. And then, um, honestly, just for me, just kind of feeling like myself out there again confidence-wise. And I think this last month and, uh, been feeling really good. And, you know, even before that, but right now, I just mentally and physically feel really good. So, um, yeah. Anything else for George? Go in the middle. George, the numbers indicate that after you came off the injured list that your arm slot has dropped this year. Because of that, have you felt like at times this year as you’ve had to work your way back that you’ve kind of had to learn how to maybe certain pitches in particular how to throw them differently from a different arm slot? Has that been an issue you’ve had to work through? Um, yeah. I think just maybe from uh command, you know, uh that was a little bit challenging just kind of figuring out arm angle, whatnot, but uh you know, this last month or two feel like I’m kind of back where I need to be and uh instead of I think I was kind of aiming a lot, just kind of really, you know, cuz I wasn’t used to not missing a lot all the time. So, just kind of stressful and then, you know, you kind of just go back to, you know, just being yourself. you know, it’s not really a mechanical change or anything like that. It’s just honestly just having confidence and, you know, right when you release the ball at that moment, you’re just free and you just you’re kind of your everything just takes over all your practice and everything like that. So, um, when I was able to get to that point, it was it kind of was a lot easier for me, but I think my arms gotten higher as the season’s gone on, so that’s good. Um, yeah. Is there any correlation in your mind with transitioning from the splitter to the change up with your new arm angle or are those separate things? They’re separate. Um I just uh it was more just like a feel thing. It wasn’t really arm slot related, but um you know that’s going to be a pitch I’ll still work on in the offseason, try and get it back for next year. But um yeah, right now curveball slider and the two eaters have been working really well. So, um, you know, just keep keep intact on zone with those and should be good. Anything else? All right, George. Thanks for coming in. Appreciate it. Uh, a little housekeeping. If if anybody wants the transcription uh, emailed to them, come see JJ over here. He can put you on the list to get those in your email. And the Tigers Clubhouse will be open in about 10 minutes. And Mariners at 3:30 in the clubhouse. Next guy in here is AJ Hinch at 3:30. Yep. You know, I I get a little bit of help every now and then. Do you want our guys to help passing the tigers or not?

Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson, catcher Cal Raleigh and Game 1 starting pitcher George Kirby speak to the media LIVE from T-Mobile Park ahead of the 2025 American League Division Series presented by Booking.com.