AL DIVISION SERIES: WHITE SOX VS GUARDIANS

October 10, 2026

Miguel Vargas

Progressive Field

Chicago White Sox

Pregame 5 Press Conference

Q. Miguel, what's the feeling of everyone coming into this deciding Game 5?

MIGUEL VARGAS: I mean, all excited. You know, it's Game 5. That's what you prepare for all year.

Every ground ball, every swing you take is thinking about moments like this. And I think we all are embracing that moment and enjoy it for sure.

Q. We've talked all year long about how resilient of a group you guys have been. How did you guys build that? How was that developed throughout the year?

MIGUEL VARGAS: I mean, that's how we have been doing it. I think at some point we got ourselves doing that. Don't give up and play all nine innings.

And I think it's happening unbelievable that the job we have been done this year. And that's why our confidence is so high right now. And I think it's one inning at a time, one pitch at a time, and I think we're going to be in a good spot for sure.

Q. From like the fan's perspective, you guys were up in the series and had a chance to bring it home and those opportunities got away and might be kind of disappointed.

How is that different from maybe how the team processes those losses of where you're at mentally right now as far as this opportunity?

MIGUEL VARGAS: You know, for sure, we want to clinch at home, but the goal still is to win the series. And I think we got the opportunity tonight to do that, and I think we're in a good spot. I think we all want to go back and play more games at home in Chicago, and we got a great opportunity to do that tonight.

Q. You've taken a lot of walks in this series. From the outside looking in, it's possible that Cleveland has not wanted to give you much to hit obviously.

What goes through your mind when you're digging in in a series like this where might be they're looking to work around you and get to the next guy?

MIGUEL VARGAS: I just trust my teammates as much as I can. That's how we've been rolling all year. And for me to just go out there and do my job the best I can, swing on good pitches and try to get on base for the guys behind me.

I think we all know that anybody can beat that guy at any moment, and I just want to be able to help my team at any moment in the game, too.

Q. You've faced almost everybody on this Guardians staff in a short amount of time. Does that make it harder to hit in a series like this or are you just -- you're familiar enough with them from seeing so many of them?

MIGUEL VARGAS: I mean, it's just high-quality baseball. This is the best baseball we're all going to play. We all know each other. We know them. They know us.

And I think we got a lot of respect each team for everybody, and I think that just make us more comfortable the balls I get sometimes and just try to go out there and do the best job we can.

Q. Will was saying maybe at the start of the playoffs in Houston, your swing wasn't in the perfect spot you would want, but over the last few days, it's been closer and obviously we saw you hit the home run the other night.

What do you kind of feel differently this week as far as where you're at timing wise compared to last week?

MIGUEL VARGAS: Just try to be patient at the plate. I think obviously the first couple of games in Houston probably I was trying to lead up too much, and I wasn't getting the result I want. But coming into this season, I just want to focus how I can help my team get on base, drive in a run, trying to play some defense, whatever it takes. I think this is what we doing all year, and I think that's what we're going to do tonight.

Q. Miguel, Brenton Doyle is getting a start tonight in the lineup. What's he meant to the team, what's he contributed to the team since he's come over at the trade deadline?

MIGUEL VARGAS: A lot. I think a great, great person. One of the closest guys that I'm with. I think it's exciting how great he is in the field. All the energy he brings to the clubhouse. The mentality that he has. He wants to win. And I think this playoffs have been unbelievable for him. I think he has done a great job, and it's great to have him in the lineup tonight for sure.

Q. You've played behind Sean Burke for a while now. He's made some big starts for you guys this season. What sorts of steps have you seen him make in his own game that you're going to expect to see tonight be in Game 5?

MIGUEL VARGAS: I mean, one of the things that I love from Sean is he love these type of moments. He love a day like this pitching big days, big moments. And when you play behind him, that's a guy you want to throw the ball. And I think we all trust in him. We believe in him. He has been our ace all year long, and I think he's going to be in a great spot tonight.

Q. Obviously playoff games are stressful, and Will always tries to project kind of calmness in the dugout. What is -- how he's handled it, how has that maybe helped you guys stay calm throughout this as well?

MIGUEL VARGAS: It means a lot. I think he's been the role model in this clubhouse during the whole year. Every time you have a pressed moment, to play a tough moment, you can see him and you can settle down, because he believes in you. He trusts you so much, and you just want to go out there and do it for the boys, too.

I think he has been a mentor and the best guy we can have for the clubhouse for sure.