AL DIVISION SERIES: GUARDIANS VS YANKEES

October 15, 2022

Terry Francona

Progressive Field

Cleveland Guardians

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. Tito, see Gabby in the lineup. What's the thought process of putting him at first today?

TERRY FRANCONA: You know, when Naylor kind of jammed his ankle yesterday, we knew he was going probably wake up sore, and he did. He's okay to DH. I think he was a little concerned about going laterally at first, which totally understand.

So I think we felt like Gabby is probably a better defender, and kind of, you know, against their guy pitching, I mean, you know Severino. I mean, last time, didn't give up any hits. We just felt like Gabby has a chance to help us defensively so that was the reasoning behind it.

Q. With this quick turnaround and travel, I know playoffs and regular season are different, but does it make you comfortable with what you guys have been doing, what this team has seen that you can have this quick turnaround without the off day?

TERRY FRANCONA: Being a day game yesterday, I don't think that's much of an issue. At this time of year, it's okay. Just glad to be playing.

We got in at a decent -- it's fine.

Q. Tito, Arias has a very small résumé at first base. How did he do when he made that transition to AAA. I think we saw him once with you guys.

TERRY FRANCONA: He's been taking balls out there every day. The reports were very good. He is inexperienced there, but he's a pretty good fielder. Again, you know, there's some unknowns. That's for sure. I kind of own up to that. I think there's a lot of unknowns with our team.

But I think we feel like he's a pretty good -- I don't think this moment's going to overwhelm him. He looked more excited than anything. And Sarby's got an hour out there to get him right.

Q. More than enough.

TERRY FRANCONA: Yeah.

Q. Tito, do you think playing four games in four days, does that give either team an advantage?

TERRY FRANCONA: Didn't you ask me that two days ago?

Q. No, not me. Maybe somebody else.

TERRY FRANCONA: I think you did.

THE MODERATOR: We'll have to check the tape on that one.

TERRY FRANCONA: I don't know. I mean, no. No, I mean, you play when they tell you to. Whoever plays better is gonna win.

Q. When you get into a setup like this with four games in four days, not to beat the point home, but how much have you prepared your bullpen for situations like this, where you might have to call on them three days in a row or whatnot for that extra workload and maybe not as much rest as they're used to?

TERRY FRANCONA: Well, I mean, during the year, we keep track of their workload pretty, pretty -- I mean, a lot. But that doesn't mean we haven't asked them to pitch three days in a row. I think they've pretty much all done that.

We'll do today like we do every day. They'll go out before batting practice, and the pitching guys will kind of assess where everybody is. And then after that, we'll come in and look at our bullpen card and see what we think we have available and who we need to stay away from if we need to, things like that.

But this is a time of year where -- you know, they can rest in the winter. Now, we don't want to hurt anybody, but guys try to be available.

Q. I was going to ask specifically about Clase. Like given everything you just said, is there anything you know about him going in to tonight's game?

TERRY FRANCONA: Anything I know about him? I know he's really good. What do you mean? Like --

Q. With regards to his availability.

TERRY FRANCONA: Well, again, yeah, he's just going to go out and throw when the guys throw. They all go out together, and we'll see how they're doing. I mean, he immediately told Carl last night after the game, I'll be okay today. Which we appreciate, but I think we have an obligation to check on guys.

I think, you know, I mean, I personally think Karinchak's inning was harder than Clase's because he threw 29 pitches, but it was two-thirds of an inning. That's more work and harder on the body than what class say did.