AL DIVISION SERIES: YANKEES VS RAYS

October 4, 2026

Richie Palacios

Tropicana Field

Tampa Bay Rays

Workout Day Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Richie Palacios.

Q. Richie, what was that experience like? You've been around for a couple of years, playing here last night with that crowd.

RICHIE PALACIOS: Yeah, it was exciting. That's what we dream of when it comes to postseason. Having the fans behind you, having the environment as loud as it was was exciting.

Q. We were just talking to Cash, and he said that your success against the Yankees might come because you're from over there so there's a certain level of excitement. Do you feel that way? Like, why you're able to be so, maybe, successful against pitching like that?

RICHIE PALACIOS: I just enjoy going out there and having fun. Yeah, I grew up in New York so I grew up watching that team. I guess the minute I got drafted, I knew I always wanted to perform against every team, but exciting to be able to do it against New York.

Q. What was your view of the relay play last night? That was such a huge play in the game. Your take on that. How important was it?

RICHIE PALACIOS: Initially, ball down the line, I'm looking. I know Mesa has a cannon so I'm like, if he cuts this off, he might throw him out at second. Saw the ball get around. Once Mesa got it, I tried to back up because I knew he was going to launch it with his arm. Made a great throw to Walls. I knew Walls knew he was going. He heard the crowd so he knew the play was at third. So it was a great play.

Q. (No microphone)?

RICHIE PALACIOS: It's huge. Every time we get outs on the defense, it's huge. Especially at a time like that when there wasn't much offense for them. Being able to lock in and make that play was huge.

Q. What did you think of Drew being able to watch that from where you were at, what he did?

RICHIE PALACIOS: Yeah, every time he goes out there, he just competes. He's one of the best for sure. So for him to be able to dominate like that is not surprising to us at all. We're going to lean on him.

THE MODERATOR: Richie, you had a sell-out crowd yesterday. How great was the atmosphere and how much did you feed off of that?

RICHIE PALACIOS: Yeah, from the first pitch on, everybody was locked in. It was exciting to hear how loud it was that first inning when Ras was out there.

So we're excited to continue to play ball in front of them and continue to bring some wins for them.

Q. What have you thought of Freddy since he's come over? They're giving him the ball tomorrow night. The way he's gotten back to being Freddy?

RICHIE PALACIOS: Goes back to the competitiveness. Same thing with Ras. They go out and study the game so well. They know exactly what they need to do and exciting for us to lean on guys like that during this time.

Q. What do you think he'll bring to the mound, Freddy himself?

RICHIE PALACIOS: Just, yeah, he'll bring the energy he always brings and we need that and we love that. So I'm excited for Freddy to go out there tomorrow.

Q. Richie, you guys saw Cam Schlittler three times in the regular season, including once towards the very end. Does seeing a familiar face in the postseason help you in your preparation for him at all?

RICHIE PALACIOS: Yeah, for sure. It's nice when you see a couple of guys a couple of times throughout the year. You kind of know how they're going to attack you. You know how they've made adjustments when we've done well against them. We know what they're going to do.

We're going to be excited to continue to work with our plan and do what we need to do.

Q. Have you been to postseason games at Yankee Stadium as a fan or anything?

RICHIE PALACIOS: I think I went to a couple when I was younger. I mean, I remember when I was young, we went to a lot of regular season games. I don't think we were paying for the tickets for the postseason.

And then, actually, yeah, I've been to a couple over -- probably when I was in the Minor Leagues, watching Yankees games.

Q. I would assume it's a good atmosphere from a fan's perspective?

RICHIE PALACIOS: Yeah, yeah, exciting. Like I said, those are the environments you dream of playing for when you have your team loud, and playing against when you're playing at away road.

THE MODERATOR: Richie, thanks very much. Good luck tomorrow.

RICHIE PALACIOS: Thank you, guys.