AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: RANGERS VS ASTROS

October 15, 2023

Bruce Bochy

Minute Maid Park

Texas Rangers

Postgame 1 Press Conference

Rangers, 2 - Astros - 0

Q. Nine days away from almost the exact date 11 years ago you faced Justin Verlander in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series. You seem to have the guy's number in postseason baseball. Can you talk about that?

BRUCE BOCHY: Well, I'm not sure about having somebody's number. He pitched very well tonight. Both sides, great pitching.

We just found a way to get a couple of runs across the board. That was the difference in the game, obviously. But our guy was really good, Monty, terrific job he did. And he got in a couple of jams there and found a way to get out of it.

I thought it would be a low-scoring game. Our guys played well. Our defense was outstanding tonight. The kid Carter, what a game he had out there. Marcus at the end, great play on the ball coming in. We played well.

Q. You've already mentioned Carter. What has allowed him to be so poised as a rookie this early in the playoffs?

BRUCE BOCHY: Well, I think more than anything he just has so much confidence. He's got the youthful enthusiasm and he's just excited to be here. He's not in awe of anything, just no fear in this kid since he's come up.

I saw that in Spring Training, he plays with joy, that's what you love about him. And like I said, he's got that "no fear" attitude. He just has that freedom that makes him such a good player that he plays with.

Q. How did Jordan's sinker look tonight, and against Alvarez, was he able to neutralize him by going inside?

BRUCE BOCHY: Yeah, that's a big pitch for him. And he'll go out and use the sinker, he's got two breaking balls, changeup, he's got a nice mix that you'll use effectively. He'll go both sides. You can't just sit on one area with him. That's what makes him tough. Of course he's getting movement on the ball, and he's got some velocity too. He's been terrific for us.

Q. Do you think having Mike Maddux here with Jordan has given him the confidence to ease back into what he used to be and elevate his game even more so this postseason?

BRUCE BOCHY: Oh, they've worked together before. And so there's a sense of confidence, I think, as you mentioned, that Jordan has with Mike. So the game planning, things like that. They're so prepared. That's always nice to have, you make a trade or something, it makes the transition so much easier. So from day one he's been very comfortable here.