AL DIVISION SERIES: TWINS VS ASTROS

October 6, 2023

Yordan Alvarez

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Yordan, how is your elbow, and do you think you're full go to play left field if Dusty asks you to throughout the playoffs?

YORDAN ALVAREZ: Yeah, we've spoken about that. The elbow thing, that was a while ago. Nothing to worry about.

Q. The team finishes very strong, winning four games in a row. Do you think this break will affect you?

YORDAN ALVAREZ: No. I think that we're a team that we're accustomed to having these days off, a team that we've been thankful to be able to win the division the last couple of years. No, I think that's something that honestly probably is helping the team.

Q. (Question in Spanish).

YORDAN ALVAREZ: In terms of that question, there's no doubt the goal is to win the World Series. We need to take it one game at a time. The biggest focus is to win Game 1 here today and then think about the next game after that.

We really can't be thinking too much. Keep our head here in the present.

Q. Yordan, you already had some really big games for the Astros in the playoffs throughout your career. How much do you embrace coming up big in the biggest games for this team?

YORDAN ALVAREZ: I think the biggest thing I've gotten out of that has been the experience. Playing in the playoffs, a lot of tense situations, a lot of big moments. The experience there has been immense.

I think it helps me as well to be able to tell some of the young guys like, hey, we're the ones that need to take care of this in these moments. Nobody else is going to do it for us.

Q. (Question in Spanish).

YORDAN ALVAREZ: Yeah, definitely. The day that they clinched, Vasquez sent me a text message just saying, hey, I'll see you soon. It was more in a friendly way. It wasn't really in a competitive way.

Obviously once we get between the lines, it's going to be a lot more competitive. We have a really nice friendship, and it's going to be really fun.

Q. (Question in Spanish).

YORDAN ALVAREZ: I know that in my hometown they don't miss any of my games, especially here in the playoffs. I don't know how they do it. I know when I was growing up, I didn't have the opportunity to watch Major League games live.

They find a way, whether it's streaming. It makes me happy to see business owners closing their business just to find a way to watch these games. So that's definitely something that makes me very happy.

Q. (Question in Spanish).

YORDAN ALVAREZ: In terms of the video, I haven't seen it. I've seen a couple comments about it, but we heard the same thing last year. We all saw how that turned out.

In terms of the fans, we always say that we have really fans where the stadium is always full. So I can only imagine how it's going to be tomorrow for a playoff game, especially on a Saturday.

I think it's going to be just a beautiful environment here. Obviously the fans have really good team support. Hopefully with their help we can be able to bring another championship here.

Q. Yordan, last October, it was a big story line that your parents got to be here and your family got to be here and see you. How are they doing? Are they going to be able to be here for these playoffs? How has it been having them around this year and knowing they're able to watch you?

YORDAN ALVAREZ: In terms of them being here, obviously it's something that I love. It has made me a lot more calm. I don't have to really worry about not being with them anymore. It's something that's even maybe changed my perspective on life and having them here.

In terms of being at the game, my dad is here at this moment. My brother, he's still in school. Hopefully, once he finishes school, he'll get a chance to come over and see.