AL DIVISION SERIES: ASTROS VS WHITE SOX

October 9, 2021

Luis Garcia

Guaranteed Rate Field

Houston Astros

Workout Day Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Luis Garcia.

Q. Hey, Luis. What if anything have you been told about any sort of pitching tomorrow?

LUIS GARCIA: No, no, just going to throw the game and that's it.

Q. Obviously, your last postseason start, a lot different environment than you're going to see tomorrow night. How are you feeling about finally being back in this environment with lots of fans?

LUIS GARCIA: Yeah, yeah, last year was different. No fans. It was totally different, so I feel -- I feel like good because I like to throw with fans in the stands, so I think it will be good.

Q. Luis, how do you feel -- I feel like we ask you this every time. How do you feel physically after, you know, throwing more innings than you have ever thrown in your career? Are you surprised with how well you've held up this season?

LUIS GARCIA: I feel good right now, and I have had a lot of time of rest, and I'm not surprised that I throw a lot this season because that's what I wanted to do, and I think I'm ready for tomorrow and the rest of postseason.

Q. How do you feel about your cutter right now? How many righties are in their lineup and how important that pitch will be for you tomorrow?

LUIS GARCIA: I feel confident about all my pitches right now.

Q. Luis, talking to your teammates out on the field, everybody said that if they have a vote, they're voting for you for Rookie of the Year. Hearing the guys have confidence in you before a big start like that, can you talk us through the emotions of how it makes you feel?

LUIS GARCIA: It makes me feel good, and my teammates have confidence in me. It makes me feel more confident, and I think that's very good as a rookie. I think that's really good too in a game like that.

Q. Hey, Luis. Can you talk a little bit about your relationship with Martin Maldonado and how he has helped you as a pitcher going back to last year and carrying into this season?

LUIS GARCIA: I mean, last year was, I don't know, weird, but right now it's a really good relationship. I feel really comfortable with him, and I think he is a really good catcher, and I like when he is behind me.

Q. For each lineup sometimes they say there's one hitter we want to stay away from beating us. Is there anybody in that White Sox lineup that you look at and say maybe sometimes I would rather walk this guy than let him beat me?

LUIS GARCIA: No, no, no. I think I don't have the (indiscernible) the hitter and try to make them run out. That's where my mind is.

Q. Luis, when you think about how far you've come in a short amount of time, given that, what does it mean, the confidence that they have, to have you start in this significant game, Game 3?

LUIS GARCIA: It feels a lot to me, yeah. I think at the beginning of the season I was going to throw a lot of innings, and then throw in the postseason, like, I started, you know, but I think I'm really happy about that and confident that I can do the job.

Q. From the beginning of the season to now, what do you think has been the biggest change with you, either your mentality or how you're throwing?

LUIS GARCIA: Mentality I think because at the beginning of the season I was worried about everything, but right now I'm okay, and I think I have a lot of confidence in me and what I can do.

Q. What did it take for you to stop worrying so much?

LUIS GARCIA: I don't know (Laughing). Just time.

Q. Martin was talking about the pitching and all you have done this year. How much can that help you in Game 3?

LUIS GARCIA: A lot of things -- I got a lot of experience this year, and I think this is an area in the postseason, I like it. I like it. I don't know. I think it could be good tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Luis. Good luck tomorrow.