AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: RANGERS VS ASTROS

October 20, 2023

Jose Altuve

Globe Life Field

Houston Astros

Pregame 5 Press Conference

Q. So ten years ago you guys were losing 111 games, lost your last 15 games of the season. Could you imagine 10 years later you'd have a hundred playoff games under your belt, and how does that hit you?

JOSE ALTUVE: Yeah, I never really imagined we can be in this position ten years ago. But we have faith in our team and organization to be able to make some playoff games, like we are right now. And it feels really good. We're really thankful as a team.

Q. Brian asked part of my question. Talking about individual accomplishments isn't exactly your thing, but with a hundred games played in the playoffs, you're among the leaders of all time in several categories. If you can reflect on that in your career.

JOSE ALTUVE: Like I said, I'm just thankful to be here to play that many playoff games. And, yes, I'm in the -- with some hits and homers and individual stats in playoffs, but it's really the main thing for me or for the team, every time you can play you're thinking about winning.

I can say the stats means something because you're helping the team, but it's not the highlight at the end of the day. It's about winning. We have players in the clubhouse playing good or not good, but we're all happy we won the last two games. So it's just about that.

Q. It's been said that you see the ball better in this ballpark maybe than a lot of other places, and that maybe accounts for a lot of your success here. I want to know how much of it is that and how much of it is you all are able to capitalize on the mistakes that the Rangers pitchers make here?

JOSE ALTUVE: I think we're ready to play everywhere we go. Every year is different, too. This year we play good here. That doesn't mean anything. For me, just like I said, it's about being ready every ballpark, every day, and just win games.

Especially today's game is big game for both teams. So if we see the ball good today, good for us. Got to find a way to hit Montgomery. He's a great pitcher. He executes every pitch he throw, whatever he wants. So we've got to make adjustments from last game and get on bases and score some runs.

Q. What does it feel like when a whole stadium is booing you? Does that inspire you or get your juices going?

JOSE ALTUVE: You know, when I go to hit, I just focus on the guy throwing the ball and the catcher and me. That's the only three things I really put all my attention.

Hitting is hard, and if you start paying attention to other things, you won't be able to hit these guys. You really need a hundred percent focus on the guy throwing the ball and the ball and try to hit it.

Q. Where would you guys be this season without Mauricio Dubón? And what kind of lift has he given you from day one when he had to step in for you after you broke your thumb and the whole season?

JOSE ALTUVE: He's been amazing. We all know that. He loves playing the game. He loves showing up every day. And playing whatever he gets to play, it can be shortstop, second base, center field, left field. And he hits.

And more than that, he's a great teammate. He's always rooting for the team whether he's playing or not. And probably I don't think we'd be here without him. He's been such a big part of this lineup, this team, this organization this year. And I know he had more to do with this postseason because he's been playing really good. And just hopefully he keeps playing and getting big hits for us.

Q. (Question in Spanish.) As far as your guys's batting, how much of an adjustment can you guys make?

JOSE ALTUVE: (In Spanish.)

Q. Obviously you said you have to be prepared in whatever ballpark you're playing. Is there anything about playing here that makes it easier to see the ball or anything that makes it nice to hit here?

JOSE ALTUVE: We're just ready to see the ball. I know we played good the last two games and the last two games here, but that doesn't mean anything for today's game. We've got to be ready. Everybody needs to be on the same page, get on base, score some runs, and like I say, if we see the ball again today, if not, just find a way to get on base, and score at least one more run than them.

Q. Other than the walk-off homer you hit in 2019, is there a playoff moment or two for you or an at-bat or a play that stands out as one of your favorite things you've experienced in the playoffs, as far as you personally?

JOSE ALTUVE: Not right now. You can ask me again after the whole thing is over. Maybe I'll have a better answer. I'm just enjoying everything.

Right now my focus is help us to win the game. But talking a little bit about him, he's enjoying the moment. He likes to be there when the game is on the line. And he's probably one of the best hitters I have ever played with, against, and just his approach and everything.

I know that wasn't the question, but I give you my answer.

Q. Kyle was part of the backbone of this offense all season long, led the team in RBIs. And what are your thoughts on Kyle, and have you talked with him? Because he's had such struggles at the plate lately.

JOSE ALTUVE: I'm not worried at all about him. He's the type of guy that, first of all, we are here probably because of him. He led the team and league in RBIs. He's going to be top three MVP. So make clear that we're here because of him.

And also we're not worried about it. I think he's not worried about it. He's a guy that can show up tomorrow and make us win every single game from now on. I know he's going to do it. He's the best player on the team, and he can show up today and tomorrow and make us win the whole thing by himself.

Q. You guys have been in so many of these games deep in the series, where you have a chance to take a lead or close it out. How much more focus is required when you get to this point, or do you treat it just like any other game in the series?

JOSE ALTUVE: Not really. It's a big game, and we need to be as focused as we can be. I can tell already everybody -- the level of concentration for today's game is really high. Everybody is focused.

So I'm not really worried. But we've got to be ready since pitch 1 to out 27 to make this game go our way.

Q. There's been talk about how well you guys played on the road. Of all the wins in the regular season, I can't remember the exact numbers, but I believe 21 of the wins were when you guys scored in the first inning, and then about 37 is when you guys scored first. Does that come into play and can you touch on that? It gives you more relaxation when you're ahead and you play better that way instead of having to come back?

JOSE ALTUVE: (In Spanish.)

Q. You guys are tired of being asked the difference between home and road. And you said if you had an answer you'd have done something about it. Is there anything you can take from these last couple of games, whether it's confidence or good mojo to where that might help you guys when you do get back to Houston?

JOSE ALTUVE: We're tired of the same question everywhere we go, the whole team. We played good the last two games, and create some momentum and keep going today and keep going when we go home.

Q. This series so far it's a replay of your 2019 World Series against Washington with the road team winning every game. Have you caught yourself thinking about that?

JOSE ALTUVE: I think someone tried to talk to me about it and I stopped it right away. I don't want to think about it. If that's the case we're going to end up losing. So didn't really want to think about it. And like I said, the whole focus is not on tomorrow, but the whole team is on today's game. And if we can get this one it's going to be huge.