“I've learned over the years that it doesn't matter where you pitch in the rotation. You have to go out there and perform. For me, preparation is everything. You have to know how to execute pitches, and know who to throw what pitches, and where.”
“My last outing, my curve and change were very ineffective, so that was my only goal today. I feel like I got that piece of the puzzle going, so now it's a matter of getting everything working together, and I'm not that far off.”
“Everyone I've ever talked to who has played with Josh Beckett says no one likes him. And that's why. There's no reason for him to say anything. He chooses to, and people don't like him for it.”
“I think we ended strong as a rotation. As for people picking the Mets (to win the division), you've got to pick someone. Do I take offense to it? No.”
“He's amazing, isn't he? I don't see it ending. He's mature beyond his years. He's one of the hardest workers I've ever seen. I'm just glad I don't have to pitch to him.”
“Miles made things happen this series. He did what he was supposed to do. He got on base for some of the bigger bats. Today Marquis swung the bat. We know he's a good hitter, and I left one up to him. I just tried to get him to roll over it.”
“They were swinging early in the count, and a couple of fastballs were up in the zone. I might have been a little relaxed in trying to get strike one, instead of aggressively going after them. It just wasn't in the cards.”
“It broke his bat and went 330 feet. I figured it was going to be right there, but it kept back there. It definitely would've been a home run last year.”