AL DIVISION SERIES: TIGERS VS GUARDIANS

October 6, 2024

Bo Naylor

Progressive Field

Cleveland Guardians

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Bo, I know Matt Boyd hasn't been here a long time, but like A.J. Hinch was just talking about what kind of influence he had in Detroit for a number of years, and, again, he hasn't been here long, but what have you gotten from Matt in terms of from the leadership standpoint and routine, all those things that he brings?

BO NAYLOR: A lot. I mean he's a really intellectual human being. He brings a great presence to this clubhouse. And while he hasn't been here for that long, I think this group, with how welcoming and accepting they are, I think it was really easy for him to settle in and just kind of allow him to be himself.

So with all that coming together, I think he's had a really strong influence on this team, on the pitching staff, especially among the younger guys on our pitching staff in this group.

So overall I think he's had a great impact. Yeah, I think that he overall really gels with this team really well. But as far as what I've learned, I've learned he's a really good competitor, really smart, knows how to see the game and kind of respond and act accordingly, and that's something that I have taken from him and added to my game little by little.

And I'm just continuing to try and learn as much from him as I can. He's a guy with a lot of experience and just knows how to approach the game in the right way.

Q. Just as someone who has been young in this game recently and going through your rookie year, just how impressive is it maybe that people don't understand what Cade Smith has been able to do and just how he's so unfazed by everything in his rookie year and it doesn't seem like he's ever been rattled at all?

BO NAYLOR: Yeah. I think it's really easy to take for granted the type of player Cade Smith is and all that he's done for this team this year. I mean, being able to see him go through his day-to-day routines has been so special.

While he's young, he's very prepared at all times, never strays from his routines and is just so consistent in all parts of his game, which I feel like is a huge reason as to why he's had so much success to this point in his career, especially very early part in what's hopefully a very long and prosperous career for him.

But, yeah, he's a competitor. He goes out there understanding that there's a job to be done, whether it's early or late in the game, he's going to be ready for it, and he knows what's at hand for him, and he just goes in and attacks it.

This game definitely presents challenges at certain points, and I think he's taken each and every one of them head on with the right mindset and just continue to smash them.

Q. Bo, I was wondering what have you thought of your brother's season, his regular season?

BO NAYLOR: I was very impressed by him. Just kind of seeing how he's grown into such a good player, especially amongst the clubhouse with the guys. While we have a really young team and on some lineups he could be considered not among the veterans of the group, he's understood that there was a chance to continue to build his presence on the veteran side with such a young ball club that we have here.

And I think he's taken on that role really well, just being a good influence for the guys, continuing to help everyone mature and just kind of better their game, which overall I feel like has provided a lot of contribution to this team's success this year.

But, yeah, I mean, I feel like individually I think he's had a really good season. He's been a guy that has had his named called upon in a lot of situations where we needed a guy to step up, and I think he's taken all those opportunities head on and just continued to try to do his best job.

And me being the guy that sees him not only at the field, but at home, he really wants to be the guy that is there for the moment and the one to be able to get the job done.

So I feel like with that type of mindset and the way that he prepares and gets ready for each game, I think it's just really all come together to help him have such a great season for himself, especially a season that has really helped this ball club end up for the season where we ended up and just to where we're at now in the postseason.

Q. How beneficial was it for you to just be along for the ride in 2022? Has that helped maybe not make this as overwhelming as this type of atmosphere can be?

BO NAYLOR: Yeah, without a doubt. I had said earlier that being a part of that run in '22, I think that it was really easy to see that my eyes were a little more wide open to everything that I was seeing.

Being a part of a Big League atmosphere and a Big League environment at that point in my career, everything was still very new. So I think being a part of that kind of seeing the day to day, how the vibes are very different from the season just in terms of the overall atmosphere, whether it's in the clubhouse or in the game.

So to be able to have some background going back to that time to now I think has definitely helped a lot, just given me some insight as to what to expect and ultimately how to respond to it to make sure that I'm putting myself in the best position to be able to help the team win.

Q. Bo, obviously Tarik Skubal has had a lot of success this year. Just what makes him such a tough matchup and especially for being a left-handed hitter?

BO NAYLOR: I think that he's been really consistent overall. He can pitch in and out of the zone when he wants. He has good command of multiple pitches, and I think he's shown that he's someone who will compete.

And, yeah, you know, he's overall had a really good season and been someone that that team has definitely looked to for some strong starts. And, yeah, he's got velo. He's got multiple pitches. Shout out to him for a really good season. We're just going to continue to respect him but ultimately go out there and try to compete the way that we do.

Q. Bo, I was wondering if you've had much of a chance to catch Cobb.

BO NAYLOR: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Earlier in the season didn't really have any opportunities in game. I think the most at that point was like picking up Hedgey in between innings.

But, yeah, you know, just in this time in between games and in the transition from season to postseason had opportunities to talk with him, be able to see him work in the lives and ultimately kind of get a gauge for how he likes to work, how he likes to use his pitches, certain counts, certain situations in the game, just what we're seeing.

So, yeah, I've had some experience with him. Obviously trying to continue to pick his brain and try to get to know him as much as I can just so in any opportunity that we're out there together, there's no hiccups or any moments where we're not on the same page.

Q. Bo, I don't remember how many 4:05 games you guys have played this year, but you're behind the plate and you have a good view of it. How difficult are those shadows at that time of day?

BO NAYLOR: I mean, it's just something that could be presented as a little bit of a challenge. I think it's all about the mindset that you go to it. It's definitely not something that I think anyone would put themselves in willingly, but ultimately it's something that is going to be presented and you just gotta accept it and approach the game in the right way and try your best to compete.

These guys, I feel like we're all going into the game with the right head on our shoulders, the right mindset, and ultimately just trying to go out there and take the situation for what it is, but understand that both sides of the ball are going to have it and just to do our best to compete.