AL DIVISION SERIES: WHITE SOX VS GUARDIANS

October 9, 2026

Travis Bazzana

Progressive Field

Cleveland Guardians

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Travis, obviously entering Game 5, season on the line, what are the nerves like going into a game like this, especially for you, someone in the midst of just their first postseason run?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: Yeah. I think 24 hours out, you don't really feel any nerves, at least I'm not feeling any nerves currently, but obviously thinking about the game and the situation a lot.

And then, yeah, you'll get some butterflies, some nerves, a little bit of a good heart rate as we get closer and closer to game time tomorrow. So maybe in a couple hours leading up, that'll start to kick in.

Q. Travis, you made your Big League debut this year. You played in the WBC. You went to the All-Star game. How does the postseason compare to those things?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: Yeah. I mean, I think that the postseason is probably the most important and exciting part of the year. I mean, the do-or-die moments in the WBC were really fun and important to me, and this kind of, I think, matches that and will continue to match or exceed that as we move forward.

Yeah. Especially me in different ways, but this is what it's all about and why we play such a long season and play every day is to put ourselves in position to have these big games and big moments and do something for the city and all the fans.

Q. Travis, when you got that sixth inning going and you guys were rolling, when José hits the home run, your reaction specifically is to turn back into the dugout and really pump the guys up.

What goes into sort of your reactions, your celebrations in those moments, because we see the photos and we see the replays and the videos, and you seem to be somebody who really takes that in and sort of gives energy back to your teammates?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: Yeah. I don't know. It just kind of comes out naturally. I don't think about it. I'm just totally in the moment, totally letting everything out.

But, yeah, I think like it just feels good to like be with the group, be with the guys whenever the big moment happens. And like, yeah, I don't know. I just look to them and all celebrate together and then lock back in. I feel like we just use that energy when stuff like that happens. So I try to use it, too.

Q. Travis, how much do you think like the past two games kind of broke the ice for you guys offensively? We know the playoffs small samples are magnified, but just getting those two performances, how much can that give you guys some momentum going forward?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: Yeah. I think it should. You never know, but it feels like it broke the ice with our at-bats and just how -- you know, how we were hitting the ball hard, taking our walks, less like weak contact and more walks.

I think like as a whole, it all kind of came together. And if we can maintain that through tomorrow, we're going to be in a really good position. So, yeah, it's hard to know, but I think we're in a really good position to continue that.

Q. Travis, since José came back after the surgery, you know, he's really struggled, but have you been able -- what does he mean -- when he gets on a roll like this the last two games, what does he mean to the ball club?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: I mean, I think we all see it firsthand. It's like the big hit, the energy. I mean, stolen bases, just like he's putting himself in position to score runs and drive in runs and like that's -- he's made a career out of just getting on base, slugging, doing everything right, really, on a baseball field.

And we trust in José, and he's played through stuff this year that it's not easy to go through, I'm sure. So for him to be feeling good and lock in for these moments when we've had our backs against the wall just shows his character and how he didn't just let up on this season when obviously he didn't, like, play to his expectations and his greatness.

But we know he still has that, and he's doing it right now, and he'll continue that, I'm sure.