Steve Webb
SAN DIEGO, CA — Infielder Max Muncy, who said that the Dodgers were “shit” on Sunday night, spoke to the media ahead of Game 3 of the NLDS against the Padres. Munce emphasized the team’s focus on playing their own game despite the distractions that have piled up in the last few days. Reflecting on the team’s struggles in Game 2, Muncy said, “We did a very bad job of playing ourselves the other night.” He stressed that the key to success would be avoiding external pressures. When asked about the emotionally charged atmosphere, Muncy acknowledged, “The Padres thrive on that kind of emotion… if we play into that, we’re playing right into their hands.”
Muncy also touched on their approach to Manny Machado‘s actions from Game 2, where Machado’s throw to the Dodgers’ dugout caused a mini firestorm on the offday. He dismissed it as irrelevant, saying, “You can’t let that affect you.” The emphasis for the Dodgers is on sticking to their preparation and controlling what they can.
Looking ahead, Muncy explained the team’s strategy: “You can only control what you can control… you’re not playing the opponent as much as you’re playing yourself.” This mindset, he noted, was critical as they faced a pitcher like Michael King, who presents unique challenges with his movement. Muncy described King’s pitches as having “a lot of movement…nothing’s going straight,” highlighting the need for discipline at the plate.
On a more personal note, Muncy reflected on his own swing, particularly his home run in Game 2, hoping it would carry momentum into the next game. He admitted that while the home run was a positive moment, the rest of the game was not ideal: “At least a good moment for me in an otherwise pretty terrible game.”
Muncy also discussed the emotional dynamics of postseason play, explaining how each player handles emotions differently. “Some people can do better channeling it into something else,” Muncy said, but emphasized the importance of not letting frustrations affect their game. Instead, the Dodgers aim to channel those emotions into positive outcomes, avoiding letting distractions interfere with their performance.
As for the atmosphere in San Diego, Muncy anticipates a lively environment but stressed the need to stay focused on their own game plan. “It’s a chess match, a game of adjustments,” he said, acknowledging the unpredictability of postseason matchups and the need to adapt. Max also knew that the hijinks from the Padres will feed off the crowd and visa versa. “We’ve seen that for the last several years even in regular season games,” he noted, “just something as simple as a single and you see the guy throwing the bat 30 feet in the air that really gets the the crowd going here and you know that’s just uh that that is kind of part of their game is trying to get under your skin and trying to have the emotion come out and get you to do something that you’re not normally doing.”
If first baseman Freddie Freeman can’t play due to injury, Muncy is ready to step in, stating, “It’s a position I’m very comfortable at.” However, his main concern would be losing Freeman from the lineup.
Ultimately, Muncy’s focus remains on playing their own brand of baseball, staying disciplined, and ignoring distractions: “We just need to be ourselves.” This mindset, he believes, is crucial as the Dodgers look to regain control of the series and advance deeper into the playoffs.
