AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: RANGERS VS ASTROS

October 17, 2023

Leody Taveras

Globe Life Field

Texas Rangers

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. You've been working walks at a much higher rate in the playoffs than you were in the regular season. What can you attribute that to to being able to have better command of the strike zone?

LEODY TAVERAS: Just trying to stick to the collective plan that we have as a team at the plate.

Q. That said, that's been the team's plan all season. Did somebody talk to you about approach, or is this just something that was naturally coming for you?

LEODY TAVERAS: I think that we really had a plan, like you said, at the beginning of the season. I think it's also the way I've been feeling at the plate when I've come up to my turn.

Q. A lot of ups and downs during the season. When you're doing well, are there any superstitions or things you like to go back and forth between with your streaks at the plate?

LEODY TAVERAS: The only thing that I've kept doing the same thing the whole year.

Q. When you were going through that hot streak in May and June, then you slumped a little bit, during this last stretch do you feel more similar to what you were feeling before at the plate? Have you changed anything at all and it's just getting back to a groove?

LEODY TAVERAS: I just kept working at it, working every single day. I've understood that the game -- that's a part of the game, the slumps.

Q. How much does your success at the plate overlap with your success in the outfield?

LEODY TAVERAS: No, I think those are two things that are completely separate. I don't think that they go hand in hand, if I'm doing well batting or in the outfield.

Q. How confident do you feel right now, and how does that confidence kind of allow you to play better?

LEODY TAVERAS: Yeah, definitely, I think I feel really confident, thanks to God.

Q. Your role in this lineup, what pride do you take being the table setter for guys like Marcus and Corey at the top of the lineup? That's where you've been all season, but what type of pride do you take in that spot?

LEODY TAVERAS: I feel really good. That really fills me with a lot of pride. I just know if I get on base, one of those two guys, they're going to drive me home.

Q. How much have you talked with Willy either leading up to the playoffs or during, and how much has he shared his experiences playing in the playoffs, and what advice has he shared about playing on this stage?

LEODY TAVERAS: Not try to do so much. Not try to be the hero, specifically. That's what he's told me.

Q. In your rookie season, you took over from Shin-Soo Choo. Could you tell us what was his presence like, and is there anything learned from him?

LEODY TAVERAS: I learned a lot from him. He's someone who I really watched when I came up when I was here with the organization. I just saw the entire process of how he went about everything, and he was someone who taught me a lot.

Q. The Rangers have obviously signed a lot of free agents the past two years. What does it mean to be a homegrown player and being here and playing in the playoffs?

LEODY TAVERAS: For me really it's an honor to be here, especially as a homegrown player, like you mentioned. It's just an honor is really how I can describe it.

Q. You're on a good streak now. What's the difference for this team being able to respond and have good ones like now?

LEODY TAVERAS: I think really trusting one another. I think bad streaks are going to come along the same way as good streaks, as well. I think we trust each other, and that's the key.

Q. What have you seen different about Jose Leclerc, maybe not just so much on the mound, but presence, approach, confidence, as the season has gone on? The second part of that is it seems like he cares a lot. When he was struggling, how hard did this kind of hit him?

LEODY TAVERAS: I think that the way he prepares really shows that it means a lot to him. I think he's someone that when he's preparing for the game, everything he goes through, the process, I can appreciate that it really means a lot to him.