AL DIVISION SERIES: TIGERS VS MARINERS

October 9, 2025

George Kirby

T-Mobile Park

Seattle Mariners

Workout Day

Q. George, this isn't your first elimination start. You started Game 3 back in '22. How much can you lean on that experience and kind of channel that as you go into tomorrow?

GEORGE KIRBY: Yeah. I think it definitely helps to get a little experience under my belt a couple years ago. It kind of helps with how you deal with all the nerves and all that kind of stuff that goes into the game.

But yeah. I'm really excited once again to take the ball, and I'm just going to go out there and give it my all.

Q. George, you started this series. You're going to have a chance -- you're going to close it out. You guys have seen this team so many times at this point. You have the game plan. But what was kind of a big takeaway from pitching and this environment at home to begin the series against this team?

GEORGE KIRBY: Yeah. For one, the atmosphere is awesome. I know that I'll be the same tomorrow.

But yeah. Nothing changes. Like I said the last time, we're all -- this time of the year all pitching with your best stuff. Everything kind of just leads up to this moment. You've got all your best stuff going out there and attacking. And I think everyone's going to do that, and we'll just try to put up as many zeroes as possible.

But yeah. We just play our game, keep doing that, and I think we should be in a good spot.

Q. You took the mound in this elimination game back in 2022. Looking back at that George Kirby, what is a piece of advice that you would give him that -- something that you know now that you didn't know then?

GEORGE KIRBY: I mean, just the moment -- you can make it bigger. I think if I was to tell myself that now from what I knew three years ago, go out there. Nothing changes. It's still the same game. The stakes are higher, but there's no need to go out there and be someone who you're not. So just attack the day and go out there and have some fun, do what makes you good.

Q. George, you mentioned that you guys know each other now. Does it just come down to execution, or do you change up anything, or you just know if I execute better, then I'll be fine?

GEORGE KIRBY: Yeah. You can always switch up game plan, whatnot, but I think it really just comes down to having some conviction in your pitches and executing.

More times than not, when me or anyone else executes, you get the guy out. So it's just staying locked in on every pitch, being committed, having some conviction on every pitch, and kind of just leave it all out there.

And then if you do that, it's easier to not have any regrets or kind of go back and think about what you should have done. But yeah, just go out there and be convicted.

Q. George, knowing that you have a pretty much full bullpen behind you and it's all hands on deck, does that give you any more freedom to empty the tank or show some things earlier, or does it not change anything for you?

GEORGE KIRBY: No, it doesn't change anything for me. I'm just going to go out there, give the team the best chance to win, go as long as I can. And I know whoever comes in after me is going to go out there and shut it down.

Q. I saw you a couple times in the last home start having to put your ear up. How loud is it out there at times when you're trying to hear the PitchCom? Can you hear it? Is it loud enough? Because it looked like you were struggling.

GEORGE KIRBY: Yeah. It gets super loud. Sam tried to put some tube to direct the noise a little better. It helps, but with 45,000 people screaming, it is kind of tough. So you have to make sure to hear the right thing. If not, have Cal do some signs. So yeah, it gets loud.

But if anything, it will energize me a little bit.

Q. You'd rather have the yelling?

GEORGE KIRBY: Yeah. Of course.

Q. George, the first inning you were pitching 100 miles an hour the first time out. How much of that was adrenaline? And with the adrenaline, how much tapers off as the outing goes along, or does it stay the same throughout?

GEORGE KIRBY: We'll find out tomorrow.

Q. George, your innings, because you started a little bit late, are down from where they normally would be this time of the year. Have you felt a difference in the last month with that?

GEORGE KIRBY: Like, health-wise?

Q. Yeah. Is it different than you would normally be if you pitched an entire season?

GEORGE KIRBY: Yeah. I would say so. There hasn't been as many ups and downs. Kind of with the full season, but yeah. Myself and everybody else are all feeling really good at this moment and -- yeah. I feel ready for tomorrow, so yeah.