AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: RANGERS VS ASTROS

October 22, 2023

Jonah Heim

Minute Maid Park

Texas Rangers

Pregame 6 Press Conference

Q. Can you just describe the mentality in the clubhouse right now as you guys get ready for Game 6.

JONAH HEIM: I don't think much has changed. I think we're preparing as usual. Everybody is doing their same routines. We just have one goal today, and that's win. Worry about today, play a good baseball game, and winning.

Q. Nathan's track record in postseason, this year included, speaks for itself. Facing elimination, the confidence you have in him to really give you a good start and keep you in the game today?

JONAH HEIM: Yeah, it's huge when you know you have guy like Eovaldi on the mound tonight. Like you said, his track record speaks for itself. True competitor. He's going to give us everything he's got, and he's going to keep us in the game. So that's all you can really ask for.

Q. From where you all have come and where you've personally from Spring Training to here, what has that journey been like for you, and how will that inform both you and the organization going forward after this season?

JONAH HEIM: Yeah, it's been amazing. I think even coming out of Spring Training, nobody really gave us a chance to be here. I think we've proven a lot of people wrong.

I know in the clubhouse we've had this goal since the beginning of spring, and it's not done yet. We've got to take care of today and then worry about tomorrow.

But the process has been amazing and getting to play in these type of games. It's why you play the game. You play to win championships. We get this opportunity and we can't take it for granted.

Q. All that said, this is now the expectation. Are you guys going to embrace that? Is that your expectation, too, that you're here every year?

JONAH HEIM: Absolutely. I think if you have any other expectations, then you're not living up to your potential. So for us it's -- winning a World Series is our true goal, each and every time we step on that field, each and every year. We're a couple of wins away from getting a World Series, and like I said, we're going to worry about today. The expectation is that we be here every year.

Q. You've seen Jose navigate some ups and downs already this year. How is he bouncing back from Friday, and how do you think he'll do the next time he's going to come in there?

JONAH HEIM: He's going to be just fine. He's proven that no matter what the circumstance, he's going to come back out his next outing and do just fine. We have total faith in him. And he's pitched every game this postseason, and it's been pretty perfect up until the other night. I'm not worried about him. He's got a great head on his shoulders, so he's going to be just fine.

Q. A lot of you guys came into this playoff season without much postseason or no postseason experience. And then you've got Bochy, a new manager, who has a ton, obviously. What has his influence been like and guidance been like guiding you guys through this?

JONAH HEIM: Yeah, there's not many words that come out of Bochy's mouth, he kind of just leads by example. He has the same expressions every day. He always comes to the field in a great mood and ready to work. He's a true, steady leader, never gets too up, never gets too down. He's always going to lead the ship. He's a great person to be leading us.

Q. You have some veterans in there who have been battle-tested in the playoffs. Are they giving any messages to the rest of the team going into today?

JONAH HEIM: Yeah, I think the message is just to go out and play baseball. We've been doing it all year. It's an elimination game, but it's still baseball. It's still the game we've been playing all year. We've just got to go out and play our game. Nobody has got to try to be the hero, just stick to what you do and just play your game.