AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: ASTROS VS RED SOX

October 22, 2021

Luis Garcia

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Postgame 6 Press Conference

Astros - 5, Red Sox - 0

Q. Luis, first of all, congratulations. We saw a huge uptick in velocity tonight from you. How were you able to generate that speed?

LUIS GARCIA: I think that the adjustment that I made in my leg, it helped me a lot, and maybe the excitement. I was really excited for the game. Maybe that. I don't know. I'm happy.

Q. Luis, on Sunday before you all got ready to leave, you sat right here and told us that you did feel good, you did feel better, and if you were needed, you know, that you would be able to pitch. And then you go out and you pitch a great game tonight. What was the message to you coming into this game from Dusty and from Brent?

LUIS GARCIA: I was really happy because they said that I was going to start this game. I wanted to pitch so bad. I was in Boston, like, in the bullpen, and I wanted to pitch so bad, so I'm really happy for today.

Q. What was the adjustment that you made after Game 2?

LUIS GARCIA: Be more, I guess, balanced on my leg, I think. I don't know how to describe it too well. It helped me a lot.

Q. How can you put into words this moment?

LUIS GARCIA: Happy, I can say that. Really, really content, and just excited for everything that's happened.

Q. Luis, you hadn't allowed a hit until Kiké's triple. What did you think of that ball off the bat, and did you want to stay in the game?

LUIS GARCIA: I wanted to do, like -- really the job that I did, that's what I wanted to do. I mean, Kiké hit that hit, and I didn't know that they were going to take me out, but I was happy. I mean, I wanted to be there still in the game, but it's okay. I did the job, and that's why the team wanted, so I'm happy.

Q. Can you just talk about how much Martin Maldinado means to you, and how he helps you get through these types of games?

LUIS GARCIA: He helps everybody, like, every pitcher. He tries to help every time, and he is really good. I'm really happy with him, with the other catchers too. I mean, everybody helps everybody. I'm really happy.

Q. What kind of words of advice did the team give to you after this outing tonight, and what does it mean to you to be able to pitch in your first World Series?

LUIS GARCIA: Yeah, everybody was really happy, you know, because I did the job that they needed from me tonight. And as far as being in the World Series, just really excited to be part of my first World Series. It's like a dream come true really.

Q. What did you think of Yordan's performance tonight as well as during the whole series?

LUIS GARCIA: He has been really amazing. I mean, everybody. Yordan was, like, something else. He was really clutch, everything. I'm happy for him.