WEBVTT - Rays Pre-ALDS Player/Coach Interviews 0:00:12.740 --> 0:00:17.940 It's time to raise the roof for our latest postseason episode. 0:00:18.000 --> 0:00:21.880 And this episode will include interviews from workouts that took 0:00:21.960 --> 0:00:26.020 place this week at Tropicana Field. We have the workouts 0:00:26.040 --> 0:00:29.800 that happened on Wednesday and then the workouts that took 0:00:29.860 --> 0:00:35.610 place just this afternoon, including some interviews from a plethora 0:00:35.630 --> 0:00:39.699 of people. As for the September 30th workout, we have 0:00:39.760 --> 0:00:44.959 interviews from Kevin Cash, Nick Martinez, Richie Palacios, Johnny DeLuca, 0:00:45.040 --> 0:00:49.409 and Junior Caminero. And then for the workout that took 0:00:49.450 --> 0:00:55.110 place today, we have interviews with Kevin Cash, Drew Rasmussen, 0:00:55.370 --> 0:01:00.010 Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz, and Tyler Wells. Those interviews both 0:01:00.050 --> 0:01:02.310 happened in the clubhouse. They happened on the field. They 0:01:02.330 --> 0:01:06.050 happened in the press conference room. So, the order that 0:01:06.130 --> 0:01:08.110 we just said for those, we're going to start off 0:01:08.130 --> 0:01:11.450 with the interviews from Wednesday. We're going to conclude with 0:01:11.490 --> 0:01:15.940 the interviews from today. That will be the order of 0:01:16.140 --> 0:01:19.399 interviews for this episode to get you guys ready for 0:01:19.440 --> 0:01:22.640 Game 1 of the ALDS taking place at 6.30 p.m. 0:01:22.720 --> 0:01:26.630 Saturday night. It should be majority race fans. I know 0:01:26.670 --> 0:01:29.670 these Yankees fans think that for some reason it's going 0:01:29.690 --> 0:01:32.280 to be like 70-30 Yankees when Rays fans have been 0:01:32.319 --> 0:01:34.640 buying these tickets for forever at this point in order 0:01:34.680 --> 0:01:38.020 to sell these games out to start out the ALDS. 0:01:38.100 --> 0:01:42.100 I just don't see it happening. But again, interviews from 0:01:42.160 --> 0:01:45.160 these workouts that are taking place this week ahead of 0:01:45.200 --> 0:01:48.720 Game 1 of the ALDS taking place Saturday and then 0:01:48.760 --> 0:01:51.870 Game 2 of the ALDS taking place at 8 p.m. 0:01:52.370 --> 0:01:52.830 Monday. 0:01:53.130 --> 0:01:56.970 So do be aware of that for those who have tickets, 0:01:57.030 --> 0:01:59.190 those who are going to watch parties. Also, the Rays 0:01:59.250 --> 0:02:02.960 just announced that there will be two watch parties happening. 0:02:03.560 --> 0:02:08.690 One is an if-necessary game, but for games three and 0:02:08.790 --> 0:02:10.930 four of the ALDS, which will be taking place in 0:02:10.950 --> 0:02:14.030 the Bronx, there will be watch parties taking place at 0:02:14.050 --> 0:02:17.690 Tropicana Field inside the Rays Hall of Fame Club restaurant, 0:02:18.710 --> 0:02:20.930 which if you guys don't know is where Ballpark and 0:02:20.990 --> 0:02:25.160 Rec is and in that general area. That is where 0:02:25.560 --> 0:02:29.000 the watch party will be happening. I guess the former 0:02:29.040 --> 0:02:31.739 ballpark and rec area now called the Rays Hall of 0:02:31.760 --> 0:02:36.780 Fame Club, restaurant, bar, whatever it might be. It's $ 5 0:02:36.240 --> 0:02:38.200 tickets to go there. And then there's going to be, 0:02:38.600 --> 0:02:42.740 I'm sure, a whole plethora of prizes and a bunch 0:02:42.780 --> 0:02:44.040 of things going on. So if you guys want to 0:02:44.080 --> 0:02:46.480 go watch games there, you can. But there's also plenty 0:02:46.500 --> 0:02:49.359 of places that will be showing the Rays game from 0:02:49.419 --> 0:02:54.440 Ferg's to, I'm sure, over to Three Daughters. to anywhere 0:02:54.500 --> 0:02:58.690 else in the area, any other bars, Green Bench. I'm 0:02:58.730 --> 0:03:02.549 sure going over into Tampa, any of the bars down 0:03:02.590 --> 0:03:06.230 there or over there, any of the breweries over there, 0:03:06.270 --> 0:03:09.980 Cigar City, anything like that, you guys can check out 0:03:10.020 --> 0:03:12.519 the games there if you aren't going to games at 0:03:12.580 --> 0:03:14.660 home or on the road. So we're going to take 0:03:14.700 --> 0:03:16.600 a quick break, and we'll be right back in this 0:03:16.620 --> 0:03:18.139 latest episode of Raise the Roof. 0:03:26.930 --> 0:03:29.590 Pretty crisp game. Today was designed to just be more 0:03:29.630 --> 0:03:34.040 of like a workout pre-BP or BP routine, and then 0:03:34.080 --> 0:03:36.460 tomorrow we'll repeat what we did on Thursday. 0:03:37.360 --> 0:03:38.040 Yeah, very excited. 0:03:38.060 --> 0:03:39.460 Definitely a sense I'm getting from the guys. 0:03:39.480 --> 0:03:41.480 They talked about coming in today, watching the game. 0:03:49.350 --> 0:03:52.630 The games last night, there were some exciting games, exciting plays, 0:03:52.690 --> 0:03:54.380 and I think they're excited to be a part of 0:03:54.440 --> 0:03:55.600 it on Saturday. 0:03:55.640 --> 0:03:58.380 How do you anticipate early rotation lining up? 0:03:58.660 --> 0:03:59.180 Do you know yet? 0:03:59.460 --> 0:04:01.320 Yeah, I mean, we don't know who we're playing. 0:04:01.360 --> 0:04:02.440 That's going to play a factor. 0:04:02.760 --> 0:04:07.100 Very confidently, Rass will pitch game one, and then we'll 0:04:07.120 --> 0:04:09.760 have more decisions as the week unfolds. 0:04:11.720 --> 0:04:13.490 Fair to say that with that extra off day, too, 0:04:13.510 --> 0:04:15.330 you kind of have the luxury of maybe doing some 0:04:15.350 --> 0:04:15.810 different things. 0:04:16.680 --> 0:04:17.880 Extra off day after game one. 0:04:18.100 --> 0:04:19.179 Yeah, it's very unique. 0:04:19.200 --> 0:04:21.099 I mean, this schedule with the off day, I. 0:04:22.660 --> 0:04:26.940 Think it's pretty obvious to us that our five starters 0:04:27.040 --> 0:04:30.610 have contributed immensely to the success of our team this 0:04:30.640 --> 0:04:33.830 year and would find a way to get them all 0:04:33.870 --> 0:04:37.950 in there contributing. So nothing has been decided and nothing's 0:04:37.970 --> 0:04:41.089 been lined up other than game one. But speaking to 0:04:41.130 --> 0:04:44.530 them just very generally, they're excited to do whatever is asked. 0:04:45.480 --> 0:04:49.060 Kevin, the guys seem loose as normal. No need to 0:04:49.080 --> 0:04:50.770 change things up right now. You don't expect them to 0:04:50.810 --> 0:04:52.570 get tense at all. I mean, the game wraps. 0:04:52.830 --> 0:04:54.349 No, I mean, I think there's going to be guys 0:04:54.370 --> 0:04:56.910 that are excited and, you know, balancing the nerves and 0:04:56.930 --> 0:04:59.849 the anxiety. I certainly know I'll have them just because 0:04:59.890 --> 0:05:02.650 it's a different style of baseball. I was excited watching 0:05:02.690 --> 0:05:06.020 baseball last night. That doesn't happen in July very often. 0:05:06.140 --> 0:05:09.340 So to watch it and know that we're going to 0:05:09.380 --> 0:05:11.760 get a part of it, I'm guessing most of the 0:05:11.779 --> 0:05:13.920 players are feeling somewhat similar to that. 0:05:14.100 --> 0:05:15.940 What is this week like? I mean, You've got the 0:05:15.980 --> 0:05:16.660 whole time off. 0:05:16.700 --> 0:05:17.760 You're watching games. 0:05:18.400 --> 0:05:18.739 Long. 0:05:19.120 --> 0:05:20.620 It's long. It's a long week. 0:05:20.920 --> 0:05:23.240 Yeah, I talked to the yard guy today, and he's like, 0:05:23.260 --> 0:05:26.400 what are you doing? I said, well, killing time right now. 0:05:26.480 --> 0:05:29.020 Changed out a car battery for my daughter who's coming 0:05:29.040 --> 0:05:30.779 in to watch the game. A lot of time on 0:05:30.800 --> 0:05:33.610 my hands, but that'll change Saturday morning. 0:05:33.730 --> 0:05:34.400 Is that good or bad? 0:05:35.310 --> 0:05:35.850 I'll let you know. 0:05:37.010 --> 0:05:39.710 How special is postseason baseball? It's pretty special. 0:05:39.730 --> 0:05:41.250 I mean, I think that's what we all come into 0:05:41.270 --> 0:05:44.750 the offseason spring training with hopes and anticipation of doing 0:05:44.810 --> 0:05:49.380 enough with your team or our team to get the 0:05:49.440 --> 0:05:52.860 opportunity to play. The teams that are left in it 0:05:53.060 --> 0:05:56.409 obviously did a lot of special things and we certainly 0:05:56.450 --> 0:05:59.310 value our regular season work and now we want to 0:05:59.350 --> 0:06:01.650 see if we can value our postseason work. 0:06:02.070 --> 0:06:03.370 How much does it help just knowing you're going to 0:06:03.390 --> 0:06:04.730 start with games here given. 0:06:04.589 --> 0:06:05.790 How well you played? 0:06:06.029 --> 0:06:07.810 A lot, definitely. 0:06:08.300 --> 0:06:10.820 We always felt good coming back here after every road 0:06:10.880 --> 0:06:14.490 trip and knowing that Whatever rut that we ran into 0:06:14.550 --> 0:06:17.470 during the season, it felt like getting back here, balance 0:06:17.529 --> 0:06:19.870 us out. And then we really took off and dominated 0:06:20.270 --> 0:06:22.450 some home stands as well. And I'd like to see 0:06:22.470 --> 0:06:23.070 that continue. 0:06:23.589 --> 0:06:25.770 When you look at where this franchise was a year ago, 0:06:25.790 --> 0:06:27.049 I mean, you're playing games in Tampa. 0:06:27.450 --> 0:06:28.270 You missed the postseason. 0:06:28.990 --> 0:06:29.570 Everything's changed. 0:06:29.790 --> 0:06:31.310 The franchise has changed hands. 0:06:31.589 --> 0:06:33.550 How special is it to have this opportunity back in 0:06:33.589 --> 0:06:34.010 this building? 0:06:34.330 --> 0:06:36.760 Very special to be back in the building. Yesterday was 0:06:36.800 --> 0:06:39.630 a trying year for so many different parts of the organization, 0:06:40.050 --> 0:06:42.790 certainly our players, but they certainly found some quick comfort 0:06:42.830 --> 0:06:45.070 being back in the trop and playing. 0:06:44.850 --> 0:06:47.260 In front of our fans here and want. 0:06:47.140 --> 0:06:48.300 To give them as many games. 0:06:48.140 --> 0:06:49.640 As possible over the month of October. 0:06:50.900 --> 0:06:52.860 As you're watching the game, are you watching it from 0:06:52.980 --> 0:06:55.180 a fan perspective or a scouting perspective? 0:06:55.240 --> 0:06:56.159 Can you pick anything up? 0:06:56.380 --> 0:06:59.020 I mean, I get excited when great players do big things, 0:06:59.060 --> 0:07:02.200 for sure. And then some of the guys you know personally, 0:07:02.250 --> 0:07:05.330 you're pulling for them. But I'm also watching, you know, 0:07:05.630 --> 0:07:08.550 I think the managerial mind comes in on the decisions and, 0:07:09.110 --> 0:07:11.390 you know, what was the thought process behind this decision 0:07:11.430 --> 0:07:14.370 or that decision, knowing that they're all going to, affect 0:07:14.690 --> 0:07:16.770 maybe the outcome of the game in a negative or 0:07:16.830 --> 0:07:20.230 positive way and just constantly trying to learn. There's some 0:07:20.270 --> 0:07:27.300 really good managers and decision makers that performed yesterday for sure. 0:07:27.420 --> 0:07:29.400 Is not knowing who you're going to face maybe balanced 0:07:29.480 --> 0:07:30.800 out a little bit by the fact that you're so 0:07:30.840 --> 0:07:31.940 familiar with the two teams? 0:07:31.980 --> 0:07:35.180 Yeah, I think that it would be different if it 0:07:35.220 --> 0:07:39.900 was maybe Houston, Cleveland, or Chicago, but knowing it's going 0:07:39.920 --> 0:07:41.860 to be a team that we face a lot and 0:07:42.240 --> 0:07:46.000 A lot of history with. It is balanced a little 0:07:46.040 --> 0:07:47.880 bit more. I don't think we're going to do anything 0:07:47.920 --> 0:07:50.400 to surprise them. I'm guessing they're not going to do 0:07:50.500 --> 0:07:54.260 too many things that are going to surprise us. It's 0:07:54.290 --> 0:07:59.730 just a bunch of good teams. Wells and Cleve both 0:07:59.770 --> 0:08:03.470 threw an inning. They looked really good. Very encouraged by that. 0:08:03.490 --> 0:08:07.380 They came in. Velocities were in line as as healthy pitchers. 0:08:07.840 --> 0:08:11.060 Bounced back, felt good today. Chandler did not play yesterday 0:08:11.080 --> 0:08:14.520 in the game, but felt very good, or much better today. 0:08:14.600 --> 0:08:15.760 Went out and ran, so I. 0:08:15.720 --> 0:08:17.840 Would anticipate he'll play tomorrow in the game. 0:08:17.860 --> 0:08:19.600 I think that's about it. 0:08:19.620 --> 0:08:21.120 Is there anybody else that I'm leaving off? 0:08:22.590 --> 0:08:26.990 Just the excitement of it all. 0:08:27.570 --> 0:08:28.090 Yeah, man. 0:08:28.670 --> 0:08:29.090 Excited. 0:08:29.150 --> 0:08:33.750 Counting minutes, counting hours. Excited to watch more games tonight, 0:08:33.830 --> 0:08:35.250 but I'm excited to see our. 0:08:35.150 --> 0:08:37.670 Guys take the field Saturday at 6.30. 0:08:37.670 --> 0:08:41.109 Thank you, guys. 0:08:48.640 --> 0:08:50.640 Now that it's here, how exciting is it to be 0:08:51.179 --> 0:08:54.200 in this building, let alone in the postseason playing into October? 0:08:54.460 --> 0:08:55.440 Yeah, it's very exciting, right? 0:08:55.980 --> 0:08:58.250 Something we play towards all year, and now that it's 0:08:58.270 --> 0:09:01.829 finally here, We're watching the games pretty intently, right? Seeing 0:09:01.850 --> 0:09:05.570 who we're going to play next and just enjoying this 0:09:05.590 --> 0:09:07.510 time and just kind of getting our minds right, getting 0:09:07.530 --> 0:09:08.850 our bodies right for this weekend. 0:09:09.070 --> 0:09:10.950 You don't get a ton of off days in a row, 0:09:11.170 --> 0:09:13.429 so to have this much time before game one, is 0:09:13.450 --> 0:09:14.090 that good or bad? 0:09:15.010 --> 0:09:16.449 I don't know. I guess we'll find out, right? 0:09:17.370 --> 0:09:19.360 I think we're doing a good job of staying locked in. 0:09:19.380 --> 0:09:24.040 We're playing some inter-squad games. We're having these workouts. Our 0:09:24.059 --> 0:09:25.680 only true off day was Monday. I think we had 0:09:25.700 --> 0:09:27.080 a really good show, and even on Monday we had 0:09:27.100 --> 0:09:29.190 some guys coming in And throughout this week, guys are 0:09:29.230 --> 0:09:31.770 coming in just staying sharp, getting their bodies right. I 0:09:31.809 --> 0:09:33.429 think you're going to have to do some mental preparation 0:09:33.460 --> 0:09:38.540 as well just to stay sharp on that side as well. But, yeah, 0:09:38.660 --> 0:09:41.079 I mean, I think, you know, we do our best 0:09:41.100 --> 0:09:44.209 when the energy is high. Coming off an off day, 0:09:44.270 --> 0:09:46.370 you might question that, but I think with the playoffs, 0:09:46.390 --> 0:09:48.110 it's going to bring just that natural energy. 0:09:49.150 --> 0:09:50.330 And I think we're going to be all right. 0:09:51.710 --> 0:09:54.020 How excited are you to know what this environment is 0:09:54.040 --> 0:09:55.020 going to be like on Saturday? 0:09:55.100 --> 0:09:55.380 Yeah. 0:10:00.240 --> 0:10:02.120 Are very few tickets left. 0:10:02.240 --> 0:10:06.160 It's been great all year, honestly. Coming back to the Trop, 0:10:06.500 --> 0:10:09.079 we felt the energy from the very beginning that the fans. 0:10:08.900 --> 0:10:09.940 Were excited to be back here. 0:10:12.000 --> 0:10:15.910 To make it to the postseason, the first year back inside, 0:10:16.710 --> 0:10:18.950 we're expecting it to be rowdy in here. 0:10:19.720 --> 0:10:22.140 And then also just how do you handle which opponent 0:10:22.160 --> 0:10:22.900 you're going to play? 0:10:22.940 --> 0:10:27.370 Is it just worry about yourselves and then figure it out? 0:10:27.410 --> 0:10:28.230 Yeah, just be ready. 0:10:28.270 --> 0:10:30.610 I think we're watching it as fans of the game 0:10:30.670 --> 0:10:32.710 and also to see who we're going to play next. 0:10:32.750 --> 0:10:35.469 So the good thing is there's a lot of familiarity 0:10:35.590 --> 0:10:38.980 with who we're going to be playing next, us to 0:10:39.020 --> 0:10:41.800 them and them with us. So it's a matter of 0:10:41.840 --> 0:10:44.540 just seeing who we're playing first. 0:10:45.140 --> 0:10:46.540 Are you guys watching the games together? 0:10:47.260 --> 0:10:48.120 A few of us are, yeah. 0:10:48.140 --> 0:10:50.930 I'm sure there's a few groups watching it together. Yeah, 0:10:50.950 --> 0:10:53.030 I had a few guys over last night just ordering 0:10:53.050 --> 0:10:55.189 some pizza, kicking it, and watching the game. 0:10:56.170 --> 0:10:58.350 Is that odd to kind of flip the switch off 0:10:58.410 --> 0:11:01.010 for a little bit but know what's coming? It's just 0:11:01.510 --> 0:11:01.890 out of rhythm. 0:11:02.450 --> 0:11:05.460 Yeah, I mean, naturally it's going to be. 0:11:05.480 --> 0:11:08.099 I think, again, having these workouts is going to be 0:11:08.120 --> 0:11:13.219 good for us, these inter-squad games, just to stay sharp. But, yeah, 0:11:13.300 --> 0:11:15.480 naturally you don't have this many off days in the season. 0:11:16.420 --> 0:11:18.890 kind of, you know, from spring training on, you know, even, 0:11:19.090 --> 0:11:21.350 you know, four days during the all-star break is the 0:11:21.370 --> 0:11:25.090 only extended off days you have. And so, yeah, it's 0:11:25.110 --> 0:11:26.690 not natural, but I think, again, I think we're doing 0:11:26.710 --> 0:11:29.590 a good job staying, you know, mentally and physically locked in. 0:11:33.010 --> 0:11:36.920 Yesterday we took it very seriously. We took it as 0:11:36.980 --> 0:11:38.880 if we were playing a playoff game. We're taking these 0:11:38.920 --> 0:11:42.120 practices very seriously. So it's time off, but in our 0:11:42.160 --> 0:11:44.280 minds we're not off. We're just focusing on what we're 0:11:44.320 --> 0:11:44.640 going to do. 0:11:45.010 --> 0:11:47.469 How excited are you to know what this environment is 0:11:47.490 --> 0:11:48.950 going to be like on Saturday? 0:11:49.010 --> 0:11:50.969 There are very few tickets left for. 0:11:50.910 --> 0:11:53.010 That game one. Yeah, it's exciting, man. I love to 0:11:53.050 --> 0:11:55.190 see the trough full. Um, we love it. We love 0:11:55.270 --> 0:11:57.030 all the support that we get from this Tampa Bay area. 0:11:57.070 --> 0:11:57.970 So I'm excited to see it. 0:11:58.370 --> 0:12:00.750 And then also what's it like knowing that you're kind 0:12:00.770 --> 0:12:03.110 of in limbo of what, you don't know what opponent 0:12:03.130 --> 0:12:05.710 you're going to play until we figure that out either 0:12:05.750 --> 0:12:06.550 today or tomorrow. 0:12:07.210 --> 0:12:09.390 Uh, yeah, I mean, we're just sitting there watching the games. 0:12:09.770 --> 0:12:12.250 Um, But for us, we're just focusing on what we've 0:12:12.270 --> 0:12:13.980 got to do this week to prepare, so we're not 0:12:14.000 --> 0:12:14.880 really worried about anything else. 0:12:15.400 --> 0:12:16.360 You talked about staying ready. 0:12:16.400 --> 0:12:18.700 What goes into specifically staying mentally ready? Because I know 0:12:18.720 --> 0:12:22.579 you are practicing and having the inter-team workouts, but mentally prepared. 0:12:22.940 --> 0:12:25.060 Yeah, I mean, that would be like a maturity thing. 0:12:25.080 --> 0:12:28.500 A lot of our guys are mature, so we know 0:12:28.520 --> 0:12:30.420 that these practices and these games are going to be 0:12:30.440 --> 0:12:32.880 helpful to us this weekend. It's not just time off 0:12:32.900 --> 0:12:36.510 to joke around or whatever. We're locked in as if 0:12:36.530 --> 0:12:38.650 we're playing a playoff game these past couple days. 0:12:40.720 --> 0:12:43.220 And then, Richie, just what has been kind of the 0:12:43.260 --> 0:12:45.780 reason why you've been so clutch this year? I mean, 0:12:45.820 --> 0:12:48.000 in terms of just with runners in scoring position, you're 0:12:48.040 --> 0:12:50.120 one of the best on the team. 0:12:50.160 --> 0:12:53.360 For me, it's just opportunity. This year I've had more 0:12:53.400 --> 0:12:57.349 opportunities just to play, to be able to get in 0:12:57.380 --> 0:12:59.730 those clutch moments. So I think for me, I just 0:12:59.750 --> 0:13:01.830 have more opportunities this year, and I've shown what I've 0:13:01.850 --> 0:13:02.290 been able to do. 0:13:02.870 --> 0:13:06.790 Does watching these playoff games make you just excited that, hey, 0:13:06.870 --> 0:13:08.270 I'm ready to play in the playoff game too? 0:13:08.960 --> 0:13:11.069 Yeah, I mean, you know, the past couple seasons for me, 0:13:11.110 --> 0:13:12.870 I've been watching the games out of it. So it's 0:13:12.910 --> 0:13:15.010 exciting to be able to watch the 12 games and 0:13:15.050 --> 0:13:16.510 see how we're going to match up against these guys. 0:13:16.890 --> 0:13:18.340 And what are you guys doing when you guys are? 0:13:18.350 --> 0:13:20.510 Are you guys watching the games together? What's that like? 0:13:21.550 --> 0:13:24.120 I mean, we're just coming into the field, practicing, doing 0:13:24.130 --> 0:13:25.559 our scrimmages, and then taking off. 0:13:26.460 --> 0:13:28.380 Probably guys are probably watching with their families or at 0:13:28.420 --> 0:13:28.819 the crib. 0:13:29.820 --> 0:13:32.160 Richie, speaking of opportunities, it's not that when the season 0:13:32.200 --> 0:13:35.380 started you weren't supposed to be here. So as you 0:13:35.400 --> 0:13:37.990 stand here today going into the playoffs in a couple days, 0:13:38.360 --> 0:13:41.219 Just how grateful are you that you meant something to 0:13:41.260 --> 0:13:42.180 this team in a big. 0:13:42.059 --> 0:13:42.740 Way in this season? 0:13:43.300 --> 0:13:43.599 Yeah. 0:13:43.980 --> 0:13:47.420 I mean, it's nice. I mean, it's nice. I mean, 0:13:47.700 --> 0:13:51.240 you know, just I think things happen for a reason. 0:13:51.280 --> 0:13:53.880 I mean, like I said, whenever I wasn't here, I 0:13:53.920 --> 0:13:57.540 was just trusting in God, and God has spoke to 0:13:57.590 --> 0:14:00.330 me throughout these times. So it's nice to be able 0:14:00.350 --> 0:14:01.050 to be a part of the team. 0:14:01.110 --> 0:14:01.570 I love it here. 0:14:03.640 --> 0:14:07.060 What are these next few days like as you prepare 0:14:07.100 --> 0:14:08.160 for that game on Saturday? 0:14:08.780 --> 0:14:11.160 Yeah, it's just preparation, trying to get the most game-like 0:14:11.280 --> 0:14:14.819 atmosphere as possible. It's kind of hard to emulate a 0:14:14.860 --> 0:14:16.920 playoff atmosphere when you don't have anyone in the stadium, 0:14:16.960 --> 0:14:22.000 but just keeping the body good, getting live A-Bs, playing scrimmages, 0:14:22.620 --> 0:14:25.270 doing our thing, staying in good shape, so just anything 0:14:25.610 --> 0:14:28.990 to stay prepared. This is a longer break than All-Star 0:14:29.010 --> 0:14:31.770 break pretty much, so um yeah trying to keep the 0:14:31.810 --> 0:14:34.290 body moving and keep the blood flowing and then. 0:14:34.250 --> 0:14:37.110 Also just when you're watching playoff baseball and you know 0:14:37.130 --> 0:14:39.229 it's coming down to shoot for you guys here especially 0:14:39.270 --> 0:14:41.390 what this building is going to look like on saturday 0:14:41.450 --> 0:14:44.110 just how excited are you knowing that the trough is 0:14:44.130 --> 0:14:46.150 going to be you know close to a sellout if 0:14:46.190 --> 0:14:46.410 not a. 0:14:46.390 --> 0:14:48.410 Sellout by the time that you know we get to 0:14:48.430 --> 0:14:49.150 the first. 0:14:48.990 --> 0:14:51.710 Piece yeah it's super exciting um you know we love 0:14:51.730 --> 0:14:53.630 our fans and we we love people filling up the 0:14:53.650 --> 0:14:57.480 stadium so Anytime you have that atmosphere, it's really fun 0:14:57.500 --> 0:15:00.080 to play in, and hopefully it'll be pretty electric. 0:15:00.340 --> 0:15:02.220 When you think about where this franchise was a year ago, 0:15:02.320 --> 0:15:04.040 you guys were playing at Steinbrenner, and you. 0:15:04.200 --> 0:15:04.840 Missed the playoffs. 0:15:04.940 --> 0:15:07.500 To be back here and back in the postseason, how. 0:15:07.420 --> 0:15:09.000 Significant is that? 0:15:09.140 --> 0:15:12.210 I think even at the beginning of the season where 0:15:12.370 --> 0:15:16.350 everyone projected us to be is a lot different. Coming 0:15:16.370 --> 0:15:18.690 out on top in the AL East is pretty special, 0:15:18.750 --> 0:15:21.190 and there's a lot of good teams in this league. Um, 0:15:21.530 --> 0:15:24.580 so yeah, I think we all believe from day one and, um, 0:15:24.620 --> 0:15:26.300 we're really confident in the group of guys we have. 0:15:26.420 --> 0:15:27.180 What did everybody get wrong? 0:15:27.200 --> 0:15:29.500 Obviously the winning, but what did people not see about 0:15:29.520 --> 0:15:29.900 this team? 0:15:31.800 --> 0:15:35.110 Uh, I'd be joking and saying the power of friendship, 0:15:35.140 --> 0:15:38.150 but I think it really is something like this team is, 0:15:38.270 --> 0:15:41.170 is so, um, close and we trust each other and 0:15:41.410 --> 0:15:43.490 we work hard and we believe in each other. And 0:15:43.510 --> 0:15:47.390 I think, uh, just the guys that we have, the 0:15:47.460 --> 0:15:51.680 combination of talent and versatility and selfless guys really makes 0:15:51.720 --> 0:15:52.260 a team special. 0:15:53.220 --> 0:15:55.920 How important is that belief in each other to have success? 0:15:56.620 --> 0:15:59.280 I think it's huge. We're out on the field every 0:15:59.300 --> 0:16:03.470 day and it's kind of cliche, but all of these 0:16:03.500 --> 0:16:04.770 guys are with each other. 0:16:04.830 --> 0:16:06.530 We're with each other more than families and. 0:16:07.350 --> 0:16:08.790 To be with each other that much, you have to 0:16:08.830 --> 0:16:10.470 be close, you have to be comfortable, you have to 0:16:11.110 --> 0:16:14.270 be able to be vulnerable with each other and and 0:16:14.730 --> 0:16:17.110 through 162 games you go through it, and you go 0:16:17.130 --> 0:16:19.370 through the ups and downs, so just riding that roller 0:16:19.390 --> 0:16:22.010 coaster and being able to have each other's back is huge. 0:16:22.790 --> 0:16:25.550 How do you handle not knowing the opponent that you're 0:16:25.590 --> 0:16:28.490 going to play during the today or tomorrow. 0:16:28.570 --> 0:16:29.510 Just figuring that out? 0:16:29.600 --> 0:16:30.150 It doesn't matter. 0:16:30.510 --> 0:16:34.140 I think our job as players is to just go 0:16:34.180 --> 0:16:37.480 out in the field and play and be competitive and win. 0:16:38.020 --> 0:16:40.300 We're going to leave all the analytics and other stuff 0:16:40.400 --> 0:16:43.590 and lineups and all of that to the guys who 0:16:43.630 --> 0:16:44.170 take care of that. 0:16:44.190 --> 0:16:53.210 Me siento bien, me siento bien, me siento feliz por 0:16:53.330 --> 0:16:59.510 esperar el sábado a una nueva etapa de nuestra temporada 0:16:59.530 --> 0:17:05.560 para nosotros y me siento muy agradecido con poder esperar 0:17:05.600 --> 0:17:08.540 el sábado con mucha ansia, mucha gana y yo sé 0:17:08.560 --> 0:17:10.400 que el equipo también lo está esperando. 0:17:11.150 --> 0:17:13.770 Yeah, I feel really good, really happy, really excited, and 0:17:14.050 --> 0:17:16.570 really grateful for this opportunity. And, you know, I look 0:17:16.590 --> 0:17:18.990 at Saturday, and Saturday is kind of its own season 0:17:19.030 --> 0:17:20.869 in a way. And, you know, we're all really excited 0:17:20.890 --> 0:17:23.080 to start, you know, with our first game here at 0:17:23.100 --> 0:17:25.080 the Trops. So really grateful for it all and really 0:17:25.119 --> 0:17:25.940 excited to see. 0:17:25.840 --> 0:17:26.500 What this group can do. 0:17:27.100 --> 0:17:29.360 What's the meaning behind that, the significance of having it at. 0:17:29.340 --> 0:17:30.680 Home in front of your home fans? 0:17:31.160 --> 0:17:32.959 Yes, of course, it's very significant for us to be 0:17:33.000 --> 0:17:35.810 able to start the series here. 0:17:38.530 --> 0:17:39.170 Of course, right? 0:17:39.210 --> 0:17:40.610 It's super important. 0:17:41.109 --> 0:17:45.290 And, you know, we've talked about that starting the series 0:17:45.350 --> 0:17:47.970 here and, you know, the importance of that. 0:17:47.990 --> 0:17:49.870 And, you know, we worked really hard to get the bye. 0:17:49.890 --> 0:17:51.530 So being able to play here and start the series 0:17:52.010 --> 0:17:53.230 at the Trop, you know, means a lot to us. 0:17:53.250 --> 0:18:08.389 And, I know the fans will be here Saturday. I 0:18:08.410 --> 0:18:11.010 know they'll be here Monday. And they've supported us all year. 0:18:11.090 --> 0:18:13.800 And we need them here again because we're hosting a 0:18:13.820 --> 0:18:15.280 game at the Trop. So we know how loud, how 0:18:15.320 --> 0:18:17.720 rowdy it can be. So really excited to play in 0:18:17.760 --> 0:18:19.280 front of the fans here and start the series off 0:18:19.320 --> 0:18:20.420 at Tropicana Field. 0:18:22.260 --> 0:18:25.030 How important is this week to stay fresh, even. 0:18:24.930 --> 0:18:27.609 Though you guys aren't playing games? Muy importante, muy importante. 0:18:29.260 --> 0:18:31.680 Practice and stay calm, relax and wait for who we're 0:18:31.700 --> 0:18:32.700 going to play with. 0:18:32.720 --> 0:18:33.899 It's very important for us. 0:18:33.940 --> 0:18:38.410 It's also very important to watch the games with the 0:18:38.430 --> 0:18:42.109 teams that we're going to play on Saturday. Whoever wins 0:18:42.270 --> 0:18:45.670 and watches what they're doing. There are many things that 0:18:45.710 --> 0:18:47.530