AL DIVISION SERIES: TWINS VS ASTROS

October 8, 2023

Cristian Javier

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Pregame 2 Press Conference

Q. (Question in Spanish.)

CRISTIAN JAVIER: Winning today for me is very important. Obviously that's what we come here to do. Even more important than that, it will help us out, obviously calm us down a little bit more moving forward.

But that's our objective every time we come here is to win.

Q. Cristian, what do you think will be the most important factor for you to be successful in Game 3?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: I think just trying to stay positive, holding onto God. I think, if I go out there and I'm healthy, I'm going to be able to give it my all, do my best to help the team within.

Q. Have you talked to Hector Neris after yesterday, and what do you notice about how he bounces back from bad outings?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: I spoke with him, and he's the type of person that he doesn't look back. He knows how to bounce back from those types of situations, always talks positive. He's a guy that next time he goes out there, he's going to go out there and take care of business and get the job done.

Q. It's going to be a little chillier in Minneapolis than maybe at least you're used to here. How do you feel about pitching in cooler weather? Do you do anything differently to prepare or keep yourself warm?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: No, depending how the climate is, the weather is, I'm really not going to change my routine. I'm just going to go and do my normal routine and go from there and make adjustments on the go if I need to.

Q. (Question in Spanish.)

CRISTIAN JAVIER: Yeah, I've heard there are big expectations of me for my next outing, but I'm just going to do what I do every single time, which is go out there and compete. I'm going to try to go out there and compete, give it my all, just like in my previous postseason outings.

Q. (Question in Spanish.)

CRISTIAN JAVIER: Yeah, that was something I was talking about that every single time I pitch in the postseason, it's always on the road. I'm always going to be holding onto God and let Him be the one to guide me moving forward. I know that if He's the one guiding me, everything will go well.

Q. How much does it help for you to get that third game, and after seeing the batters, the Minnesota batters for two games?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: That's something I really don't pay too much attention to the situation in a game. I usually go with the plan. For example, if a pitcher comes in throwing a really good pitch, having success with it, I really can't change my plan of attack to try to use that pitch. I'm going to use the pitches that I've used in the past.

Q. Did you feel like you found anything, either mechanically or physically, just in your last few starts of the regular season that you can carry into the playoffs?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: I'm going to go out there and compete like I always do. I'm not really going to be focused on trying to fix mechanics or anything like that. I'm just going to take it one pitch at a time.

Q. (Question in Spanish.)

CRISTIAN JAVIER: We're taking it one step at a time. Really can't be thinking about whether we're going to face the Phillies or face a different National League team in the World Series. We're focusing on right now focusing on Minnesota and just taking one step at a time. And then if we get there, whatever God decides, we're going to go with that.

Q. (Question in Spanish.)

CRISTIAN JAVIER: I've been learning about God and being on His path since I was younger, since I was a young kid. Because of that, I always put my confidence in Him, following God's word.

I think, when I come here, that's what I do. Just continue putting my confidence in Him and continuing that routine.