Watch the pregame interview below:

Video summary/cliff notes:

(00:00) Ryan Pressly Update: Pressly is dealing with a lingering issue that's become more of an annoyance; he's currently throwing and being evaluated. The team hopes to manage it quickly to ease his season-long load.

(01:22) Knee Drain Clarification: The knee drain sounds severe but is more common than fans might realize. It can be managed without a long-term absence.

(02:07) Javier Assad Injury: Assad re-aggravated a previous injury, diagnosed as a grade two strain. No timeline yet for his return.

(03:01) Bullpen Philosophy: The team operates on a "next man up" mindset with relievers, emphasizing attacking the strike zone and minimizing walks.

(04:07) Daniel Palencia & Confidence: Palencia's growth this year is credited to experience and a shift in mindset—focusing on what he can control.

(05:18) Porter Hodge Development: Hodge bounced back from early struggles and has shown resilience and improvement.

(05:47) Colin Rea’s Emergence: Rea has exceeded expectations, improving his pitch arsenal even in his 30s. His stuff is better than it seems on the surface.

(07:02) Team Growth & Chemistry: Counsell believes in the natural evolution of a team's confidence and persona throughout the season, citing the Japan trip as an early bonding experience.

(08:12) Armstrong’s Progress: Armstrong has improved defensively and at the plate, meeting expectations set in spring training.

(10:11) Letting Players Be Themselves: Counsell emphasizes emotional authenticity and growth through experience, supporting players like PCA to embrace their personality and energy.