AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: RANGERS VS ASTROS

October 15, 2023

Will Smith

Minute Maid Park

Texas Rangers

Pregame 1 Press Conference

Q. This bullpen has been criticized a lot throughout the season, but this postseason you guys have slammed the door when necessary. What are you seeing from not just yourself, but the rest of the guys -- Josh, Aroldis, Jose -- during this run?

WILL SMITH: Yeah, we've taken a little bit of heat, but we have that "bend but don't break" mentality. Like the life of a reliever, you're going to give up runs here and there, a little more magnified at the end of the game. If you have a three-run lead and you gave up one, it's not the end of the world. Just kind of lock back in and do your job and just hand it to the next guy until we get 27 outs.

Q. How much does this bullpen and what it's done during the postseason kind of remind you what was going on with the Braves a couple of years ago, where the bullpens had some ups and downs and then October came around everything clicked in? And what is the factor that can bring a bullpen into focus like that?

WILL SMITH: I think just not quitting, not giving up on yourself. Once the playoffs -- once you get four hot hands out there, you kind of ride them. And we have those four hot hands like we did in Atlanta.

And we're all Type A personality people; we want to compete at the highest level. We enjoy the pressure that comes with these kind of games. You get that laser focus even more when the game is on the line and it's either win or go home.

Q. I know Ian Kennedy is injured, but he's still out there. What is having the presence of another veteran who's had some playoff experience doing for the guys in the pen?

WILL SMITH: He's helped probably everybody in that bullpen. He's not only a really good pitcher when he is healthy, but he's probably an even better person off the field, just his mentality, been there, done that. He's seen a lot in this game. And he's awesome to have around. We're really thankful he's here.

Q. You've been with this Astros team, what is it about this group that allows it to succeed so much in October do you think?

WILL SMITH: I don't know, just they're a really good baseball team. So are we. They've been in pressure-packed situations before. They've had their back against the wall before. They've had big leads before. They've kind of done it all.

So nothing really scares them, I guess, nothing freaks them out. If somehow you do jump out to a big lead, they're going to grind ABs with the best of them. If they have a huge lead, they're going to get outs, just get to the last guy and get 27 outs.

Q. You've been around; this is historic. Is this different for you, even though it is Texas versus Houston and we've never seen this before, and you guys have seen each other a ton?

WILL SMITH: When it's in your division, obviously there's not very many secrets between us. We faced these guys so many times. They're still exciting games, that's for sure. The season is on the line, the winner goes to the World Series. They mean a lot to us; we're just trying to win as quick as we can.

Q. How has Bruce Bochy been this year compared to the past seasons with him?

WILL SMITH: The exact same. He's the same guy in San Francisco. He's the same guy here. He's just cool, calm, collected demeanor. He's super smart. He plays every scenario probably in his head before it happens. Very rarely do you see him get caught, not having a guy ready or leaving a guy in too long.

He's been in this game forever, and he's probably seen it all. He's just so prepared. And the situation doesn't freak him out. It's kind of like your grandpa, he sits there: We're going to be all right. Just keep grinding it out, boys.

Q. Can you tell us how high is the dislike factor between these two teams?

WILL SMITH: I mean, it is what it is. Like I said, there's no secrets between us. We're three hours from each other. They've owned this division for a while now. So, yeah, we obviously want to come in and not be the little brother anymore.

Q. What does getting Max and Jon back for this round do for this pitching staff and for this team generally?

WILL SMITH: Huge. Both veterans, both experienced guys, especially Max in these kind of games. Both extremely prepared pitchers that have stayed ready the whole time they've been on the DL.

I think you guys all saw the video the night Max found out his season was over; he was out running the next day just in case. That's just kind of the guy he is.

And Jon is the same way. When Jon got hurt, he continued to do everything he could to stay ready just in case.

And just in case happened, so we need them.