AL WILD CARD SERIES: BLUE JAYS VS TWINS

October 4, 2023

Carlos Correa

Target Field

Minnesota Twins

Postgame Press Conference

Twins - 2, Blue Jays - 0

Q. What impact did the crowd noise have on that pick-off play?

CARLOS CORREA: Big impact. Talked to Sonny earlier in the game. I told him there were some free outs on the bases. He was, like, what do you mean? I'm, like, they're taking big leads; if you look at me I'll give you a sign; in key spots we can get some outs there.

It felt like the right situation to do it -- 3-2 count. Vladdy was getting a huge lead. Obviously he was trying to score on a single. Bichette is a pure hitter, knows how to hit the ball the other way, knows how to find holes, always pretty much leading the league in hits.

And I felt it was the right spot to do it. And I gave him the sign and we executed it.

Q. You were booking it down to first. I think it was one of your higher (indiscernible) speeds of the season. And the sprinting play on defense yesterday. How are you feeling with the foot right now? How much of that is October and how much is that the time off?

CARLOS CORREA: Everything is October. The mentality is different. I'm just giving everything out there, everything I have. I'm going to keep doing that for the rest of the time that I'm here in Minnesota.

I feel like the fans deserve that, and this is a great moment for our organization to just be able to go out there, play the way we did and win the series against a great team.

Q. When you say you gave a sign for the pick-off, who were you giving the sign to, to the dugout, to --

CARLOS CORREA: I gave the sign to the catcher obviously because he has the PitchCom, and he's the one that's calling the pitches.

He gave Sonny and Sonny nodded at me and it was go time. I try to be quiet, going to second base so they wouldn't hear me and then the timing play worked out perfect.

Q. This is the same play you guys did I think a couple weeks ago in Texas. Does that sound right?

CARLOS CORREA: Probably, but this one was special. This one was great.

Q. How do you feel about facing the Astros in the next round?

CARLOS CORREA: Feel great. Feel great. Obviously they've got a great team and so do we. We're going out there with the mentality that we can compete against anybody.

When I look at our roster, everywhere you look we're ready. Our bullpen, our second rotation, our lineup, is deep. I feel good about the team we have, and I feel confident going to Houston.

Q. Yesterday, obviously a couple big swings made the difference. Today defense was a huge part, but pitching in both games was spectacular. What was it like to play behind those guys?

CARLOS CORREA: It's been fun all year long. They've been doing it for the entire season. They're the ones that carried us the first half of the season. We wouldn't be in this spot without our pitchers. They kept doing it in the postseason when we needed it the most. We always talk defense is going to win the ball games. When both of those are matching at the right time, good things happen.

Q. Does that single to break the tie mean a little more to you given how long you've been waiting for the bat this season?

CARLOS CORREA: Absolutely. Absolutely. It's those key moments I just try to visualize what I want to do. Those spots find me in the playoffs and I feel like I'm ready mentally. So it was a great spot, a big spot in the game. I was glad I came through and we got the win.

Q. What do you think it is about October? Is it the atmosphere, the games, intensity of the games, what do you like about it the most?

CARLOS CORREA: For me it's knowing if you don't win ball games you go home. Going home for me was not fun. Last year when I was sitting watching the playoffs I told my wife, I said, I never again want to miss the playoffs.

When you're between those lines you focus a lot more. You give everything you have out there, all the energy. Every little thing that's bothering in your body doesn't matter. You just go out there try to perform to win games. That's what I'm going to keep doing anything to help the team win.

Q. You took a pretty good shot on the hand in the eighth inning. Did you go for X-rays, and how does it feel?

CARLOS CORREA: We did x-rays already. It's feeling good. No fracture. We're good to go.