AL DIVISION SERIES: YANKEES VS RAYS

October 3, 2026

Chandler Simpson

Tropicana Field

Tampa Bay Rays

Pregame 1 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Chandler, thanks for coming in. If you have a question, we have microphones on both sides.

Q. Chandler, we know you play with some emotion at some times. Have you talked to any of the veterans or Yandy about how to balance your emotions, given what this is going to be like tonight?

CHANDLER SIMPSON: Not really. Just trying to be as present as I can, stay in the moment. Really just treating it like any other game. So just going about it the same way and just taking in the moment.

Q. Chandler, two things. I'm just wondering, you play small ball. Do you think because of the season you had, a lot of people around baseball appreciate small ball now over, quote, analytics?

CHANDLER SIMPSON: Yeah, I would hope so. I hope -- I mean, there's a place for both. So I feel like I just hope that there's appreciation for it around the game, and I'm seeing more people get into it or what have you.

It's a part of the game. I'm glad that everybody is kind of waking up again to the fact that it can be a part of winning ball games. Not saying that homers is not. You definitely need the power game, as well. But small ball helps to set that up, as well.

Q. And last year, you were sent down to the minors because of your defense, not your hitting. This year, you're eighth among left fielders in defensive runs saved. I'm just wondering, who do you credit for the success this year and how proud are you that you were able to improve?

CHANDLER SIMPSON: Yeah. Definitely, CD has been a great help to me this year, just staying on me about mentality and attentiveness to detail and early work and shagging and just being prepared as possible every day.

Q. Chandler, along those lines, you've been asked at basically every step of the way how is your game going to translate at this level. How much are you looking forward to seeing how it will play on the postseason stage?

CHANDLER SIMPSON: Definitely looking forward to it. Treating it like any other game. Making sure I know my job, know my approach, continue to know who I am, not try to do too much and try to do what I can, do what I need to do to help the team win.

Q. You've hit on either side of the big three in this lineup. What impresses you most about that group and how they were able to sustain what they did all season?

CHANDLER SIMPSON: Yeah, what they do is amazing. All three of them together is astonishing. But individually, they're very different. So, I mean, they all have a tremendous impact on the team and definitely it's like the motor to what team gets going and generate a lot of wins for sure.

Q. Chandler, there hasn't been a game here in about 13 days. It's a long time since you've played in the Trop. What are you expecting for the emotions of the team and the fans, what is going to be a near to about sold-out crowd tonight?

CHANDLER SIMPSON: Yeah, I think it's going to be a great atmosphere. I feel like everybody is going to show out. I heard it was sold out. It's obviously going to be an electric atmosphere.

With us having some rest, I feel like it doesn't really matter as much. We know the height and the stakes of this game and this series, and I feel like we're going to come out ready.

Q. Chandler, could you speak more about the impact Junior has in the lineup and also, like, behind the scenes in the clubhouse, maybe?

CHANDLER SIMPSON: Yeah, Junior is a great player, but he's an even better person and teammate. He's the first one when somebody hits a homer or scores a run, he's the first out of the dugout. When you're not going good, he's the first to pat you on the butt or the back and tell you to keep going. That's a testament to who he is as a person. What he does on the field is second to none. He'll have MVP votes this year. That speaks for itself. He's a huge impact on the team for sure.

Q. Chandler, just because you have so much pride in the fellow guys from Atlanta, they're in the big leagues, what did it mean to you to see Michael Harris have the moment he did the other night? Have you been in touch with him too about preparing for this since he's got a lot of playoff experience?

CHANDLER SIMPSON: I've kind of left him alone because I know we're kind of going through the same things. He's played in playoffs before, so he definitely has more experience than me. But, I mean, I saw it live and I knew it was like one foot off the ground. So I was yelling at the TV not to swing. But, I mean, he swung and hit it out.

I was definitely happy for him in that moment. Knew that it was a big moment for him. Not only him, but Atlanta baseball, Black baseball. I was happy for him.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Chandler. Have a great series.