AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: YANKEES VS ASTROS

October 19, 2022

Framber Valdez

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Pregame 1 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll start with Framber.

Q. The mental and physical preparation starting the second game with the potential of giving the team a 2-0 lead especially with the home field advantage, how do you prepare?

FRAMBER VALDEZ: My preparation mentally and physically is the same as the regular season. Obviously it is an advantage that we have here and something that we can't just take for granted. But same preparation as the regular season. Continue the same work, which is continue the same work and the same goal, which is to get the batters out.

Q. How much will you look at your previous start against the Yankees during the regular season? How much will that factor into your preparation in comparison to looking at maybe what they have done in the playoffs so far?

FRAMBER VALDEZ: The Yankees are a team we played seven games against in the regular season. We won five. They're a really good team. But then again we just need to continue doing the same thing we have been doing all season that got us here. Continue the same rhythm that we had against them in the regular season and the same rhythm against whatever team we end up playing in the World Series. Again, I don't think we can change anything, just continue working hard and continue the same thing that got us here.

Q. Specifically with the Yankees, they have a ton of right-handed hitters in their lineup. What can they pose from a challenge standpoint?

FRAMBER VALDEZ: I think a lot of people say that it is a little bit tougher to pitch against right-handed batters, but I think I faced more righties this year than I did lefties. I think my plan of attack is again just to continue doing the same thing I did in the regular season. Trust my pitches, continue attacking them in the zone, continue with my command and I think we'll get good results.

Q. Last ALCS you had eight strong innings in Boston and kind of turned yourself around from a postseason perspective. How important was that start and proving to yourself that you could pitch on this stage?

FRAMBER VALDEZ: In Boston I think it was a really good outing. For me I think just try to get everything to work that out, which was just concentration to focus, keep the ball in the strike zone and I think we'll get the same results here.