AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: GUARDIANS VS YANKEES

October 17, 2024

Luis Gil

Progressive Field

New York Yankees

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. How do you view tomorrow's challenge? How do you view getting the start in Game 4 of the ALCS?

LUIS GIL: First of all, I've got to thank God for the opportunity and of course the Yankees. It's a great opportunity. I'm very excited about it, to go out there and compete, really.

I know it's going to be exciting, and I'm looking forward to it.

Q. What have you been doing to stay ready? You haven't started a game in a while.

LUIS GIL: Yeah, since we started the season, it's been a really good routine, a work routine that we've put together throughout the whole season. It was key for us to maintain that, to stay within the routine, our workout routine.

One of the things we did, we did a simulated game. In that game, I went four innings.

I feel good. I feel ready for the opportunity tomorrow.

Q. You guys have won five out of six games so far in the postseason. It's going pretty well. As an observer, what have you seen that the team is doing so well to get you into this position?

LUIS GIL: I want to say that the level of focus that all the guys have, you can see that it's an effort where everybody is pulling in the same direction. But the focus on the task at hand, it's very impressive.

Our goal is to win the World Series, and I can see how those guys are pulling in the same direction with that amount of focus.

Q. Understanding the lineup for the Guardians, what is the challenge of facing them, understanding the dynamic in their lineup?

LUIS GIL: For me, what's important is the plan that I have, that we need to execute independently from the team. It's something that we've worked on all season independently, who we're facing. It's about understanding what's the plan of attack and how best to carry that plan into the game.

Q. Are any family members here to watch you in support?

LUIS GIL: Yeah, quite a few. My mom is here, my wife, sister, my daughter, a good friend of mine. They're all here, and they're coming out to the game tomorrow.

Q. Obviously the biggest start for you is tomorrow, but what have you been proudest of this season, considering where you started and where you were obviously last year? What have you been most proud of all year?

LUIS GIL: Yeah, definitely proud of the season that I was able to put together. Health was a very important aspect of it. I was able to do that, to stay healthy and stay on the field.

From day one, really locking in on the days that I pitched, maturing as the season went on definitely is one of the reasons why I'm here where I am today, and really excited to keep that going tomorrow.

Q. How many pitches did you throw in the live. And did you face Big Leaguers or Minor Leaguers?

LUIS GIL: Yeah, I want to say I think it's about 70 pitches, and it was a mix-up of Minor League and Big League players.

Q. How sharp do you feel? Understanding that lives are a best approximation that you get, how sharp do you feel at this point?

LUIS GIL: I've felt really good. I felt sharp. The command of the pitches was there and the execution and the movement of the pitches was there. Very pleased the way that went.

Q. Tomorrow is going to be the coldest game you've started in a long time, maybe ever. Are there things that you've learned or things that you know to expect about pitching in that weather tomorrow?

LUIS GIL: When you're on the field and you're moving, that helps you a lot. You don't even think about it. Then in the dugout, you've just got to keep moving. You stay loose. You find ways just to keep moving and ready for the next inning.