AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: YANKEES VS ASTROS

October 21, 2022

Cristian Javier

Yankee Stadium

Houston Astros

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Cristian, can you talk about the opportunity you have to start in a playoff game at Yankee Stadium and also do you think your success there earlier this season will help you as you go back in there in a really big situation?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: I want to start by thanking God for giving me this opportunity. I think just preparing the best I can just so we can have some success tomorrow.

Q. You know what kind of a pressure-packed environment it is in Yankee Stadium. I just want to know your emotions of going into that and how you're looking forward to pitching up there in Game 3, because it could be a big swing game for this series.

CRISTIAN JAVIER: To me I think this is just going to be another game. Just try to go out there, have some fun, just attack the strike zone with all my pitches and just try to get the best results possible.

Q. The two big stars of your teammates in the first two games have they put pressure on you or motivate you?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: Definitely I'm very happy for the success that my teammates have had. I think that gives me a lot of confidence, just because I know that I can rely on them, I can ask them questions to see what worked for them and get advice from them if anything goes wrong.

Q. When did you find out that you were starting tomorrow?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: I was told yesterday just to come in today as well to just prepare for that, just be able to prepare mentally and I'm ready for that now.

Q. You haven't pitched since Game 1 against Seattle. You haven't started, it will be three weeks since your last start. Do you feel like you'll be sharp? And do you feel like you're stretched out to at least be able to go five or six tomorrow?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: Yeah, we've been working just to continue to try to have, keep my arm ready for this type of moment. I just try to hold on to God and see whatever happens, happens. But just try to continue to attack the strike zone and get good results and pitch as good as possible.

Q. Were you communicated to pitch count or maybe amount of innings you may pitch tomorrow?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: No, all I was told is that I'm going to have the third game and just to just pitch as long as I can.

Q. What is it like for you to be part of a staff that is this deep, both rotation and bullpen and do you all have a collective sense of how good you are?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: Yeah, definitely feels really good to know that, being part of this really good team. We have a really good team here. Really good defense, really good offense. And it gives us confidence that we can go out there and have some fun. And having really good chemistry in the clubhouse as well. We all have the same goal. It feels really good to be part of a team like this.

Q. Were you surprised to know that you were going to be the opener tomorrow and especially in this important game, the third game and especially when it's on the road?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: No, I really wasn't surprised by it, it was something that I was expecting. But yesterday I got the confirmation for it and thanks, hopefully thanks to God this is going to happen tomorrow. But we're just going to try to go out there, have some fun and have some success.

Q. How about going up against a guy that you know well, Gerrit Cole. You know he's going to bring his, try to bring his A game tomorrow. You know that the Yankees are counting on him. Does that get you more excited about that matchup or would it be you're feeling more pressure because you're going up against a quality pitcher like him?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: No, I really don't feel pressure at all. I faced 'em before in the regular season. Haven't faced them in the postseason. But I think I'm going to try to go out there, have some fun and just try to get some good results.