AL DIVISION SERIES: WHITE SOX VS GUARDIANS

October 7, 2026

Miguel Vargas

Rate Field

Chicago White Sox

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. Miguel, it seems like the last few days, you're always talking or working with Derek Shomon. Are you always doing that, or is there something specific you're trying to unlock right now?

MIGUEL VARGAS: Yeah, I mean, I always have a great conversation with Derek. You know, just try to get on the same page. I know he knows me very well, and just trying to get on the same page and be ready for today.

Q. Miguel, you talked about this after the win in Cleveland. What are you expecting from the atmosphere, the crowd here today at Rate Field?

MIGUEL VARGAS: I think it's going to be unbelievable. I think we're all very excited about it, and we cannot wait to see the whole city of Chicago showing up today and supporting us.

I think they have been a huge part of our success this year, and we're all looking forward to seeing them tonight. This afternoon, not tonight.

Q. Miguel, you said kind of late in the season that you guys feel more comfortable as underdogs, kind of like playing from behind. How do you kind of keep that edge when you're not playing from behind and you're well ahead in this series?

MIGUEL VARGAS: I think we're all just very excited to get back here at home and winning the series here. I think it's very important too. I think they are a really good team and we don't want to give them any -- I don't know how to say that -- opportunity or chances to bounce back.

So I think it's going to be a great game today at home, and it's going to be fun.

Q. Miguel, you guys have grown as a team throughout this season. Have you taken it to a different level in the postseason, or has it been really the same, or is there something different that's happening right now with the team versus where it was in September?

MIGUEL VARGAS: I think it's a different atmosphere for sure, but I think we're still doing the same thing. I think we still have fun out there, playing all nine innings, supporting each other and playing the best we can.

I think that has been our identity the whole year and for sure, it's October baseball. This means a lot for us. A lot of us have never been here before, and we're just trying to enjoy the moment and take the best advantage out of it.

Q. Miguel, you mentioned different atmosphere. What has stood out to you about the playoff environment and just being involved with it for the first time?

MIGUEL VARGAS: It's unbelievable. It's great. The atmosphere in Houston and the atmosphere in Cleveland was unbelievable. I'm hoping we're going to see this stadium kind of packed. Even though we were playing away, it's still a great atmosphere. We cannot wait for today. Today at home is going to be special, and we'll have been talking about this moment playing baseball in October here at home. It's going to be special, and we cannot wait for it.

Q. Miguel, especially after 2024, how much do you appreciate the organization, Chris Getz and Will for trusting you and letting you develop into the player you are now?

MIGUEL VARGAS: A lot. I think all the opportunity they have given me since I got here means a lot for me, especially from Will. He has been my role model. I've been having great conversation with him during these past two years with him, and I think he's helped me so much. The impact he got not just on the field but in my life has been unbelievable.

I cannot appreciate him more for what he's done for me and for my family. I just appreciate the whole organization, the White Sox, for this opportunity and everything they have done for me and my family for sure.

Q. You haven't necessarily hit a homer or a double in the playoffs so far, but you've been kind of making yourself valuable to the offense with working walks and working deep in counts. How much is that something you kind of turn to, being patient, grinding at-bats when maybe you're not feeling as locked in as you can be at the plate?

MIGUEL VARGAS: Yeah, I mean, I think at this point it's not about me anymore. I try to go out there and help my team the best I can. If it's a walk and get on base for my team, I'm going to do it any time. If it's a stolen bag or driving an RBI, whatever it takes to win a baseball game, I want to be out there and able to do it. I think this is what we've done the whole year, trust the guy behind you and trust the whole team. Anybody at any point can be that guy.

So I just want to trust my teammates and let the game dictate what we have to do.

Q. You mentioned Will. Just what is that best advice, or how has he impacted you in your development along the way?

MIGUEL VARGAS: So many things, man. I feel, for example, I think a lot of the time I get a little bit disconnected from the game, and it's a lot of ups and downs during the season. I feel like he always call me in his office at the right time, in the right moment to let me know that something I have to start doing or that I have done is not right or how he helps me to get better every time or he push me.

Anything from him I do in the field is not enough. He always think I can do more, and I think that's how he gets the best out of me. It's something that I appreciate every time from him every day.

THE MODERATOR: Miguel, thank you for coming in.

MIGUEL VARGAS: Thank you guys.