AL DIVISION SERIES: YANKEES VS BLUE JAYS

October 5, 2025

Shane Bieber

Rogers Centre

Toronto Blue Jays

Pregame 2 Press Conference

Q. Yankee Stadium on Tuesday is going to be probably the most hostile crowd you've seen in a couple years. How do you prepare for that? What do you anticipate from that crowd?

SHANE BIEBER: Exactly what you said. It's a fun place, a fun environment, if you embrace it. Thankfully I've had that experience prior to Tuesday. I think it's all about just keeping perspective. What an incredible opportunity it is for me personally and then this team as well.

Very excited to see how the game plays out today, and obviously we travel to New York tonight, get a workout in tomorrow, and get ready for the game on Tuesday.

Q. Trey Yesavage, a young guy, I'm sure you can think back to when you were younger and getting big starts early on in your career. Have you had a chance to kind of see his preparation and see the way he's handling the big stage? What are your thoughts on that? Have you had any advice for him?

SHANE BIEBER: He's handled it exceptionally well. In the short time I've gotten to know him, that's no surprise. Obviously he's kind of new to the Big Leagues and new to the playoffs, but it doesn't look that way.

Very excited for him and his opportunity and his family to be able to experience this with him. When I was able to grab him yesterday, just because I know how quick day games go, I was like, hey, let me grab you. Just told him to have fun and enjoy it. How many people can say they get the opportunity that he's about to be handed today to start a Big League baseball game, let alone an ALDS for the Toronto Blue Jays, for Canada, against the New York Yankees.

He seems exceptionally prepared and ready to go.

Q. Just the way the schedule lined up, obviously it was a bit of a break between starts for you. Just wondering how did you use that time to kind of stay ready, and what was this bye week like for you?

SHANE BIEBER: A couple bullpens, was able to throw a couple innings in the intersquad scrimmage as well, so feeling good. I guess silver lining of coming back from TJ is my body doesn't really know what's going on anyway. Definitely excited for how the back half of the season played out for the team and then myself as well and the opportunity going forward.

Q. What was that experience like yesterday being a part of the environment as a Blue Jay in the Rogers Centre?

SHANE BIEBER: It was fantastic. It was kind of what we expected. Obviously it's a bit of a heightened sense, just with it being the ALDS and the playoffs. But really since I've been here, the Rogers Centre, the stadium, the crowd, the support has been second to none.

Definitely not numb to it, but it's something that I've grown to appreciate, and it's kind of been pretty steady and consistent -- consistently energized since I've been here.

Q. When you're going through rehab and you're trying to get back to where you need to be, did the thought ever occur to you, I'm going to be starting a playoff game at Yankee Stadium?

SHANE BIEBER: Yeah, I think it doesn't matter where it is, but I was anticipating making a return and pitching in the playoffs and pitching deep into the playoffs. I always had that in the back of my mind.

Obviously you take it one step at a time, one day at a time, and that's the best way to approach it because it's such a long process and a long road. In the back of my head, I knew what I was working towards, and that was ultimately towards winning baseball, and that's where I found myself.

Q. Apologies if this got asked earlier, but pitching in a hostile environment, going into the Bronx to pitch a playoff game, how much are you looking forward to that, and what are you anticipating about that start?

SHANE BIEBER: Anticipating a ton of energy, both positive and negative. For me, thankfully I've done it before. But really for me, I put myself in the best position to succeed when I just embrace it. I've tried to learn how to do that, and it's just an incredible opportunity. Like how many people get to say that they've done that.

Excited to see how today's game plays out and to move forward towards Tuesday.

Q. You mentioned having pitched at Yankee Stadium once before. I'm wondering what do you remember from that outing in '22 that you might apply to Tuesday when you take the mound there again? And just in general, your three postseason outings, like what was different? What were your emotions in those games? What experiences were different from the regular season that you can use in this turn through the postseason?

SHANE BIEBER: Just to keep it the same, stick to your strengths. I feel like I learned that from my first few starts in the postseason and was able to apply them to my last couple. Not change anything. Don't make it bigger than it is.

Obviously it's a big situation, but the game's the same. The stakes are higher, but it's only as big as you make it. So enjoy the opportunity but take advantage of it.

Q. I was going to ask about your last New York start as well. I guess specifically the end of that game, I believe you guys got a big hit from Amed and then Josh to kind of steal the win in that one. What do you remember about the late innings, the momentum swings the last time you were at Yankees stadium in the playoffs?

SHANE BIEBER: In '23 or '22? It was a long time ago.

Q. '22.

SHANE BIEBER: Yeah, just everything is high stakes in the playoffs. You pull for each other. I feel like this team specifically, we have a ton of guys that are built for the moment. I think we showed that last night, and I'm excited to continue to show that today.

Q. What's it been like to get to know and build a working relationship with Alejandro Kirk? What do you think of how he's done the last couple weeks for you guys with the bat as well?

SHANE BIEBER: He's been fantastic. Obviously defensively, he's special, but the last few games with the bat, he's been incredible. Give him his space, stay away from him, don't touch him, let him stay hot. It's been a pleasure to watch.

Q. You've got a lot of experienced starters on this rotation, and now you've got a rookie starting today. Have you guys been approached by Trey to get some advice, how to handle this situation?

SHANE BIEBER: I think our group specifically, we don't need to be approached to offer up advice.

(Laughter).

I think Trey is very smart and he recognizes that, and he lets us come to him. I think that's what he's kind of done.

He's the same guy. Obviously I haven't known him for too long, but he doesn't seem overwhelmed in the slightest, and I'm excited to watch him pitch today.

Q. You've been in a lot of big games with Andrés Giménez as your teammate. He came up with some big plays again yesterday. How have you seen him rise to those moments when you've been alongside him in Toronto or Cleveland?

SHANE BIEBER: He's just a fantastic ballplayer. I say that over and over and over again. You can say that about a lot of guys on this club. It was a pleasure watching a lot of guys rise to the occasion yesterday, but we know that's just one step, and we've got to continue to make them and continue to move forward. We'll see what we can do today.

Andrés is an incredible ballplayer. He seems to continually rise to the occasion and step up for his teammates. We know he'll continue to do that this series, and so will the other guys.

Q. This will be the longest layoff between starts since you've come off the IL. Is there anything in particular you were paying attention to in your bullpens?

SHANE BIEBER: I was here a little bit early, so we started early. I was just saying that a small silver lining about Tommy John is my body doesn't know what's going on, so I was able to throw a couple of bullpens. I feel great. I feel ready to go.

Since I made my comeback to the Major Leagues, I've been on five days, six days, seven days, and I think that's kind of been a small advantage to be able to go about my starts on different rest. And I'll throw another bullpen today shortly after this and we'll get ready to go.

Q. Yesterday when you were watching Kev in that sixth inning, bases loaded, not out to Judge and to Bellinger, not giving in full counts either time. As a pitcher what do you appreciate about the way he navigated that and thought through being willing to surrender one to prevent giving up three or four?

SHANE BIEBER: Yeah, obviously the Yankees are a great team and a very formidable lineup. What I saw with Kevin yesterday is exactly that. He just didn't give in, especially through the heart of their lineup when one pitch, one swing can kind of blow the game open. I was very happy and proud for him in how he approached that situation.

It ended up paying off for us in a big way to bring in Louis in a big spot. And for him to deliver the way he did was awesome, and we kind of captured that momentum and we were able to break it open from there on out.

Really I think it just comes down to not giving in and making pitches when you need to, and both Kevin and Louis were able to do that.