MLB WORLD SERIES: ASTROS VS BRAVES

October 27, 2021

Kyle Tucker

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Pregame 2 Press Conference

Q. First of all, now that Jake is officially not on the roster, have you given any more thought to probably having to play in center when the series moves to Atlanta?

KYLE TUCKER: Probably think that was an option regardless. It's tough not having Jake. He's been a big part of this team ever since he got called up.

I mean, today I'll take some reps in center during BP and stuff just in case I have to play there in Atlanta.

Q. You're kind of in this middle ground in your outfield, between a veteran guy like Mike, and then the three rookies that are there. Do you identify, I guess, with one side more than the other because you have some postseason experience but still a young guy?

KYLE TUCKER: I mean, the other rookies are older than me. We're all pretty much the same. It doesn't matter how Mike has ten-plus years or guys have -- it's their first year. Everyone tries to help each other out and give advice any way they can to help them out and help out the team. I don't consider myself either, I guess. Just a player.

Q. A lot's been made of the World Series record of this team at home. You were part of that in 2019, losing all the home games, and then you lose last night. As a player going through that, what are your thoughts on that? Then also add to that who you are today compared to where you were two years ago as a player.

KYLE TUCKER: Well, as far as winning or losing at home, I mean, we've won and lost games at home during the regular season. You can't win them all. It's baseball. But we have another game today, so we'll go out and try to play it and win it.

For me, I'm the same guy. I still go out there and play and try to play as hard as I can. Obviously, I've learned stuff over the past couple of years to try and help me out to do that, but I'm still me. I just try to go out and play hard and help the team win.

Q. If they put in a pitch clock and force you to stay in the batter's box, how long would it take you to adapt, and how difficult would it be for you?

KYLE TUCKER: I don't know, we kind of did that in the Minor Leagues. So I've done it before. It's not that hard. You just, I don't know, speed it up a little bit, I guess. I don't know. It would be fine.