Zack Wheeler held a 14 minute press conference with reporters at Turner Field this afternoon ahead of his major league debut on Tuesday.

Wheeler said he does not see himself as a savior.

“I don’t think I’m the savior at all. We’ve got great arms here and we’ve got great players. We might not be doing too well right now, but I know the talent of these guys and hopefully we can turn it around soon. I’m just trying to come up here and help the team any way I can.”

He doesn’t expect to treat his first MLB start any differently than any other start and doesn’t feel he has to live up to Matt Harvey.

“He set the bar so high. Matt just took off, but I’m in majors to just pitch my game and be myself.”

“Some people expected it. Some people didn’t. I’m just going to go out there and do the best that I can. People can take it how they want it. Hopefully I’ll do well and just be up there with him.”

He feels his experience at Triple-A Las Vegas was valuable. It toughened him up and taught him how to battle.

Turner Field will be packed with plenty of family and friends tomorrow night, as the Georgia native will be playing in front of his hometown crowd.

“I grew up watching Chipper Jones, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux,” he said.

He got some advice from his brother last night who told him, “Whatever you do, don’t go up there and look up, ’cause all the lights and the fans and everybody will be moving and make you sick.”

Wheeler will wear uniform No. 45 because it’s his favorite and he’s worn it since he was 12.

This is pretty damn exciting, I can’t wait… 🙂