AL DIVISION SERIES: GUARDIANS VS YANKEES

October 16, 2022

Jameson Taillon

Progressive Field

New York Yankees

Postgame 4 Press Conference

Yankees - 4, Guardians - 2

Q. Jameson, just how much were you looking forward to being the guy who gets the ball tomorrow with the opportunity to help this team advance?

JAMESON TAILLON: Yeah. I mean, you said it, it's an opportunity. You know, I feel like we have prepared for this moment. Playing the AL East, facing the line-ups we have faced, seems like playing in a Yankees uniform in Yankees Stadium every game is a big game. We're ready for it. It is a big opportunity. Props to Gerrit for just pushing the ball forward, getting us back home. You know, we go back with a rested bullpen and I'm ready to go for Game 5.

Q. How do you prepare for this considering this week has been a little bit different for you. You spent the last three games essentially in the bullpen.

JAMESON TAILLON: It definitely has been a little different, and I know it is cliche, but at the end of the day it is about executing my pitches to my areas and that's as simple as I can keep it.

Look at the scouting reports, figure out my safe areas, and attack those with my best stuff. That's what my game plan is going to be. I'm not going to have anything in mind other than just attacking with my best stuff to my best areas. Bullpen or starter, that's kind of something that carries over to both jobs.

Q. Jameson, realizing that it won't be your call, but do you still feel stretched out enough that you can give 90, 100 pitches?

JAMESON TAILLON: Yeah. Yeah. Definitely. You know, that's kind of -- I don't even know when I made a start, maybe 12 days ago, 13 days ago. You know, I have kept working in the weight room, training room, the staff keeping me ready, the long toss program, the bullpens. I definitely still feel built up for whatever they need.

Q. How do you stay focused and keeping this as another start when you know it is an elimination game?

JAMESON TAILLON: Yeah. I mean, there is definitely going to be some added adrenaline and stuff when you step foot in Yankees Stadium. I will keep my day as normal as possible. Knowing that the fans are going to bring it over the top, I think it is important for us to just prepare. You know, do our research, do our studying, do our pregame work, and try to keep it mellow knowing that when you get out there, obviously, you know, we'll be excited for the moment with the fans going crazy and stuff.

You know, for me, I'm a guy who if I get too far outside of myself and my game plan, that's not going to work for me. I need to just keep it simple, keep it mellow, execute pitches and do my job.

Q. You mentioned pitching in the AL East. How is this team different than the types of line-ups you see in the west on a regular basis?

JAMESON TAILLON: They're extremely contact-oriented, spread the ball around, a deep line-up. There is competitive at-bats all the way through. I feel like they do a lot of different things pretty well. They have a bit of thump in the middle, got contact throughout. They have got aggressive guys, patient guys, fast guys. So yeah I mean, it is a good challenge.

Q. What's the added benefit to this being the fifth game against them? You have had four games to watch them.

JAMESON TAILLON: Yeah. I think it is huge for me for doing my research and planning and big for the catchers. Our catchers are always locked in. Trevy and Higgy, they're always communicating, game planning together and stuff. So the opportunity for them to see how everybody's stuff plays against different hitters and stuff is going to help.