Eric Lauer discussed pitching a strong start for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 22, 2026, after going 16 days without pitching due to the All-Star break.
Lauer overcame an early home run to help the Dodgers secure the win. "I felt like I I was able to lock it in after that and you know put together a few good innings and you know keep the team in it to win," he said.
Asked about his approach on the mound, Lauer explained that his focus stays on pitch execution rather than results. "My main focus every pitch is just to execute the pitch. You know, control what I can control," he stated. He added that after allowing a home run, he tries not to dwell on it. "So you got to you got to have a short memory on those and move forward and try to execute the next," he noted. Lauer also mentioned that after the long layoff, his primary goal was to command the strike zone, saying his aim was "just to, you know, be in the zone, really command the zone as well as I can being off for so long."
Lauer noted that he has worked with a mental skills coach for several years to help him stay focused from pitch to pitch. "I've been working with a mental skills coach for a few years now," he said. He also credited the team's overall performance, stating the Dodgers are "scoring runs throwing the ball well so making great defensive plays and you know we're just playing good baseball."
Lauer recalled telling Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during a conversation about using an opener that the team goes 4-0 when he starts. "I just mentioned to him I was like listen we're we're 4 and0 when I start the game," Lauer said, adding that he framed the comment as more of a joke than anything to keep the momentum going.
Lauer's outing left the Dodgers unbeaten in his starts, a mark he pointed to directly in his conversation with Roberts about the team's rotation approach.