AL WILDCARD GAME: RED SOX VS YANKEES

October 4, 2021

Kyle Higashioka

Fenway Park

New York Yankees

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Kyle, what does it mean to you to know that you're going to be behind the plate for what will be the most important game of the season thus far?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: It means a lot. You know, I think I heard somebody say pressure is a privilege, and you know, when it gets to this point of the year, every game comes with a ton of pressure. You know, I try to relish the opportunity and rise to my best game.

Q. Is there any added preparation or anything you do differently knowing the magnitude of the game?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: No, just because in the regular season, I treat every game as a must-win. So here, every game really is a must-win.

Q. As one of the longest tenured-Yankees in the organization, what does this game feel like?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: As a fan, I always think the one-game wild-card game is the most exciting game of the year. So for it to be Yankees/Red Sox, winner take all, it's pretty exciting, and we all know the magnitude of this game, and especially against the Red Sox. So we're just going to go out there and bring our best stuff.

Q. When Brian Cashman and ownership went out and paid Gerrit Cole $324 million, this is kind of what they paid him for, this is that moment. Do you believe that he will step up and sort of earn his money?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: Of course. Everybody believes he's going to step up and bring his best game. He's preparing mentally right now as we speak. And I'm preparing; the whole team's preparing. It takes everyone. It's not just going to be him out there. It's going to be nine of us plus everyone on the bench, and we are going to have to all play a part.

Q. What's been different about Gerrit Cole the last four or five starts where the numbers weren't as good as they were, say, in July and August?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: I think, you know, just he had a couple shaky starts recently but mixed with some good ones. I just have no doubt that he's going to come out and make sure that he's got his best stuff. You know, he's a guy that rises to the occasion, so I'm not really too worried about him.

Q. Have you seen the hamstring impact him at all?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: I'm not sure. The stuff looks similar. He would have to probably tell you that.

Q. Been a lot of talk about this year for you guys, a real roller coaster with all the ups and downs. How much have you looked to Aaron Boone for guidance in the way he conducts himself in the down times?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: Yeah, it's always important for a manager to keep a level head, especially during down times, because we know during the times we've not played so well, that's not who we are. So it's important not to get down on ourselves, and we know that he's always going to have a pretty calm level head about everything. And, you know, it never helps when you panic about something. I think that kind of negative mindset can only negatively impact you. It's always great to have somebody leading the team with a very level head.

Q. Since Gerrit Cole has been with the Yankees, we haven't been in the clubhouse to see him before games or how he changes. Before a big game like this, maybe when he went to Houston or something, how is he? What's his personality like before a big game when he's preparing for this kind of game?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: He pretty much prepares for every game the same way. He's always got his routine that starts in the morning when he wakes up, and he sticks to it no matter what. He always comes to the field focused, locked in, and ready to go. You know, I don't think it really varies from game to game.

Q. Do you see any difference in him when there's a big pressure and a big moment?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: I would just say on the field, he can elevate his game when it's a big situation. But I mean, in terms of the preparation, it's always the same.

Q. How hard is it to change a game plan with him if something isn't working? I know you've known each other for so long; is it easier?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: I think it just depends on how quickly we catch on and are able to recognize that we need to change. You know, he's so good that most of the time, we can, you know, have a game plan, stick to it no matter who we're facing. But there are times where the opposing team comes out and is being more aggressive or trying to do something, and we definitely in those situations need to recognize that quickly and make an adjustment before it possibly gets out of hand.

Q. I asked Gerrit Cole this question, too. What will tonight be like for you? Will you go over reports until midnight, are you going to watch video, or will you try to unplug a little bit?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: I'll be watching video of the other hitters and other pitchers probably until just about I'm ready to go to bed. That's just kind of what I do anyway. So especially a game like this, you really need to make sure you have all your bases covered.

Q. How jarring is it for you as Gerrit Cole's catcher and a teammate to see him struggle the way he has, particularly over the last three starts? He has set the bar so high. He is far and away obviously your best pitcher. And to see him get hit like that, he's only human, but how jarring is it to come to the realization that like everyone else, he has bad streaks and he's in the middle of one right now?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: I think the good thing about being a pitcher rather than a position player, you have those four days in between starts to be able to make an adjustment and come out and do a completely different thing the next game.

I wouldn't say it's like just because he had a bad start last time, that means he's going to have a bad start again. You know, there's always time to prepare and make adjustments for your next game, and we're going to go out and do that.

Q. What has stood out to you about your bullpen and the collection of arms you guys have been running out there the last six to eight weeks?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: I think the thing that stood out is everyone's ability to cope with a high-leverage situation. You know, especially the younger guys or guys who haven't been so used to coming in in ultra high-leverage situations, they never lose their ability to throw strikes and attack the zone. I think that's the most important thing as a reliever is making sure you don't fall behind hitters and give away free bases, and that gives the other team a chance to keep the line moving.

So these guys attack hitters, so that's what you want.

Q. Speaking of high-leverage situations, where do you think Aroldis is right now compared to when he was in a really deep funk a few months ago?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: I think he looks really good. We have all the confidence in the world in him. Last several outings have been good. He's been throwing a lot of strikes, getting guys out. He's been rock solid. We trust him 100 percent.

Q. What is this game for you, personally, the fact that you're going to get to be behind the plate? You were asked a little bit about this before, but is this the biggest game you believe of your career as a Yankee so far?

KYLE HIGASHIOKA: I was kind of looking back yesterday at some of the other playoff games I've played in, and I mean, a Game 5 of the Division Series is really no different than this. It's just, you know, there's no series preceding the game. So having played in Game 5 last year of the Division Series, it's the same exact situation. We have to win or we go home. I'm definitely going to use that as a kind of reference point and just to know that I've been there before.