AL DIVISION SERIES: YANKEES VS RAYS

October 6, 2026

Jonny DeLuca

Yankee Stadium

Tampa Bay Rays

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Jonny, obviously we talked a lot about the Trop and the atmosphere there. I'm just curious now that they're changing venues, what you expect out of Yankee Stadium given what's at stake here tomorrow.

JONNY DeLUCA: Yeah. We were just here in, what was that, a week and a half ago. So expecting it to be crowded, be electric here as well. But, yeah, still playing the same game and doing what we've done the past two games.

Q. Just along those lines, too, I was going to ask you guys came up here two weeks ago. You needed to win a game to get something done. You did it. Any parallels to that? Is it the stakes are different, so different situation? How do you kind of look at that, that you did what you had to do a couple weeks ago up there?

JONNY DeLUCA: Exactly. We needed to win a game and we did that and that's exactly what we need to do again. So nothing really changes. It's still the same objective and hopefully we can get it done tomorrow.

Q. Obviously you guys have got Nick on the mound. He's been so good for you all season. Can you really put into words what he's meant and just the impact he's had both on the mound and especially I think we all know in the clubhouse?

JONNY DeLUCA: Yeah. It's super cool to see a guy like that who's been around for a long time, have the success he's had, and he's been doing it for so long and he's had success for so long, and this year having his first All-Star appearance.

And like you said, off the field, too, are what an impact he's had just going to team dinners, the energy he brings, just constantly positive.

Just looking at a guy like that, that's kind of talking about the identity of our clubhouse and what makes a team a team, he's right up there at the front of -- you know, it's the vibes. It's everything that he brings, and obviously the pitcher that he is, it shows on the field. Just the pitch ability, how he works counts and how smart he is.

So everyone is super excited that he's on the mound, and, yeah.

Q. Jonny, how much is speed and the ability to make things happen engrained in the mindset of the Rays?

JONNY DeLUCA: Yeah. Like I was talking about the identity of our team, that's kind of, you know, the versatility that we have. Guys like Chandler and, you know, a lot of our guys are quick and fast in putting the ball in play, and I think in playoffs it makes a huge difference, whether it's getting down the line, base running, defense, whatever it is.

I think the speed is a huge aspect to our game, and, yeah, it's helped us a lot.

Q. Jonny, you said something last night about you guys wanting-to-keep-the-pedal-down kind of thing. It seems like that probably fits in with the personality of this team. That's not something you really gotta like spread around a message?

JONNY DeLUCA: Oh, no. Not at all. It's a given, and everyone here is a competitor and a winner. And, yeah, there's no taking games off. You know, obviously taking the first two has put us in a really good spot, but it's still the same mindset going forward.

Q. And one other question. The opportunity you've gotten to start these first couple playoff games against a right-hander, I assume you kind of appreciate that and kind of a sign of the work you've done so far this year?

JONNY DeLUCA: Yeah. I mean, like I've said before, just anything to help the team win and I know that's a cliche answer, but whether it's the analytics, whatever it is, having me in center field, I love playing this game and I love competing, and whatever I can provide I'm going to do.

And these last two games it's been super fun being able to contribute in any way. So, yeah.