Dodgers Interview: Trea Turner’s “excited for the opportunity” that Game 3 Provides
LOS ANGELES — The NLDS shifts to Los Angeles, and an old friend is in the other dugout trying to keep Philadelphia’s season alive. Trea Turner, the former Dodger who edged Freddie Freeman for the batting title this season, met the media before Game 3 and kept his focus narrow. He acknowledged the hole. He also leaned on the same calm that made him a fan favorite in L.A.
“We’re excited about the opportunity,” Turner said. “We got another game today, put the last two behind us, and try to get back on the right track. We know we’re in a hole. We’re ready to compete and have some fun.”
Asked about staying within themselves, Turner framed it as both message and execution. “We’ve talked about it before the series even started,” he said. “It’s easy to talk about it and a different thing to do it in the game. If we win those two games by one run, we’re not talking about half the things we’re talking about. Nothing matters other than winning and losing. You have to find ways on your worst day to compete, add value, and make plays.”
Turner praised his manager’s temperament. “Rob [Thomson] is so even keeled, which is hard to do in this game,” he said. “He never gets too high or too low. He does a good job of old school and new school, where he uses some analytics but also has that feel. Some managers get one way or the other. He’s got qualities that fit both sides and that helps newer players and older guys blend together.”
His own defensive jump has been clear to the eye test and the metrics, and he explained the foundation. “I feel really consistent,” Turner said. “My first move is so much better. I’m putting myself in a good position to catch the baseball, and once I’m in that position the throw becomes much easier. My transfers have been better. The things we talked about in spring training feel like they’re coming to fruition. I’ve done it for a long period now, and I know I can contribute there day in and day out.”
At the plate he made a conscious shift. “I always felt like I was going to be the one getting attacked,” he said. “The game has changed where pitchers want chase and strikeouts and they don’t care if they walk you. I had to accept that a little more. This year I did a better job of taking my at-bat, seeing pitches, and not thinking too much about who’s behind me. Staying in my at-bat helped with the walks and having better quality at-bats.”
Travel did not change his bottom line. “I hope a change of scenery helps,” Turner said. “It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. All these teams are here for a reason. The Dodgers are really good and I don’t feel like we’ve beat ourselves, but we haven’t done enough to win. You have to execute, win pitches, make plays, and do all the things to get that win.”
On approach and patience, the answer sounded like a dugout mantra. “We’ve had quite a few walks,” he said. “We just haven’t gotten those big hits with runners in scoring position. We’ve had traffic and plenty of situations. It’s the balance. If the pitch is there, you have to be ready to hit. If not, you have to be willing to take and pass the baton. We’re having good quality at-bats. We need that momentum and those big hits. The homer always helps, too. There hasn’t been a lot in this series, and that’s good for our pitching, but we need to slug a little more.”
His hamstring check came back clean. “It feels good,” Turner said. “I feel like it’s behind me and I’m ready to play. When I stole a base yesterday I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I forgot I was hurt,’ which is a good thing.” He added a word for Harrison Bader. “We all play through stuff. It’s that balance of being good enough to help the team win. The rest and off days helped him. He’s excited and it sounds like it’s getting better.”
Simple message for a high-leverage night in Chavez Ravine. “You have to find a way to win this one,” Turner said. “Execute, win pitches, make plays.”
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