AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: RANGERS VS ASTROS

October 15, 2023

Jordan Montgomery

Minute Maid Park

Texas Rangers

Postgame 1 Press Conference

Rangers - 2, Astros - 0

Q. The way you guys were executing against Alvarez was critical. Can you talk about how well --

JORDAN MONTGOMERY: Yeah, obviously he's a really good hitter, so you kind of have to do a little bit of everything to him. But we kind of worked the fastball in and out and threw some curveballs for strikes and expanded and made some big pitches when we needed to.

Q. You mentioned in Baltimore that you felt a little unsynched. How did you feel tonight? Did you do anything to make changes after that start?

JORDAN MONTGOMERY: Yeah, did a lot of mound work just to kind of get my timing on point and just kind of relax out there and know that I'm not trying to overdo anything, just make some pitches.

Q. Against Alvarez I think at one point you threw seven sinkers in on him. Was that just to keep him from getting extended at that point in his at-bat?

JORDAN MONTGOMERY: Yeah. He's a really good power hitter, really good hitter in general, against lefties and righties. So really just tried to mix it up and do a little bit of everything.

Q. Were you hoping to get Jordan one more time for the bat, Alvarez?

JORDAN MONTGOMERY: Yes, I thought in the 7th that I had a little longer leash and then would at least go until someone got on base or whatever. But obviously Boch pulled me. I was trying to go as deep as I could.

Q. So that was probably -- going into this game to get that far, was that something you were planning on, or were you planning on -- these are the playoffs, and some things like that don't work out like that.

JORDAN MONTGOMERY: I'm always trying to go as deep into the game as I can. So playoffs or not, it doesn't really matter.

Q. How did you just get out of those situations?

JORDAN MONTGOMERY: Whichever inning it was that had bases loaded, making good pitches, just kind of I got two quick outs and made some good pitches. And they got a hit, which is what good hitters do. You're just trusting that you're going to make the next pitch.

Q. I think you said it before after your starting in Tampa Bay that getting Game 1 nod meant a lot to you. Can you describe what it means to pitch in the playoffs? Does that raise your game? Does anything change for you in that sense?

JORDAN MONTGOMERY: If it doesn't raise your game in the playoffs, I don't think you're doing it right. Obviously I'm super excited to take the ball tonight. And anytime I can give my team a chance to win, I'll do my best.