AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: GUARDIANS VS RAYS

October 11, 2026

Jo Adell

Tropicana Field

Cleveland Guardians

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. What do you think you guys took out of that series that you just won against the White Sox that you bring into this series?

JO ADELL: Yeah, definitely. Really, the entire series was really the grit and grind of playing from behind and trying to find a way to fight back, and know that we had a couple tough games right off the bat, but we were able to continue to push through and find a way to get the job done.

It just shows the resilience of the team. And that's what the playoffs is about is you get in these series, how fast can you turn the page when it doesn't go your way and when things are going your way, how you keep the momentum. So we did a great job of doing that.

Q. Your swing looks pretty similar since you came over to Cleveland, but you just said it, you were a big factor in making things go your way. The splits are starting to jump for you. Do you feel there's anything different for you at the plate?

JO ADELL: Yeah, it's kind of interesting, because I have kind of the same setup, and there's nothing really mechanically that has changed over the course of the year since I got traded. But the bigger thing is just trying to get the job done.

I think when the focus is about winning the ball game and trying to get the ball forward and kind of simplify it, it's helped me a lot, especially scoring those runs finding a way to get guys in.

We have guys that are getting on base at a pretty good clip on this team. So my job of driving those runs in, I've found a way to simplify and really just hunt my pitch and know that it's not always the home run swing that matters and being okay with those singles as long as we can move base runners and get the ball rolling.

Q. What do you know about the Rays from afar this season? What kind of challenge do you expect them to present this series?

JO ADELL: Yeah, they're a team that is a real gritty team. They find a way to get it done. And they have explosion and power through the lineup. And the pitching staff has been pretty elite. It's what you expect in the final four teams here.

I think we compare very well with them and to them as a ballclub. And our goal is to go out and to really just find a way to execute, get those runners on base -- like I was just saying, move runners, find a way to get something going.

With our pitching, like I've said before, we've gotten into a really good spot there.

Q. The Rays use a great deal of speed to pressure defenses into mental mistakes as well as physical mistakes. As a result, is there another greater sense of urgency for you guys?

JO ADELL: You said a greater sense of urgency on the defensive end?

Q. Because of the pressure they apply.

JO ADELL: Because of how they play with speed? Yeah, they're definitely a team that can run the bases. They play aggressive and fast. As long as we make our plays and do the things we need to do and be where we're supposed to be and stay in the game, I think we'll be in good shape.

Q. Just from going into a winner-take-all kind of game last night, to winning, celebrating, getting a little bit of sleep, getting on a plane, be here today, you're playing four wins from the World Series, ALCS. Can you kind of put it into perspective? Is that a blur? Is it just a rush of energy and excitement? How would you describe it?

JO ADELL: Yeah, we did, we had our good bit of fun, for sure, absolutely. But now we're on to the next thing. We definitely have to be really proud of where we are and how we were able to get to this point.

I think it's important to be able to reflect on that and not close the door on it so fast. Enjoy it in that moment.

But definitely now we have a new game plan. We have a job to get done. There's another opponent, and we've got to figure out a way to put runs up and to get the job done here.

As great as it was, we definitely now have to find a way to close that door, get focused on Tampa and do what we can.

Q. When José Ramírez has three games like that in a row, how does that feel elsewhere in the lineup knowing that that presence is there?

JO ADELL: When he's like he's been, right now, it's been special. Really, just to be a part of those moments with him and for him to have those moments, he's so deserving of it. Like I've said before, he's the heartbeat of this team.

For us surrounding performances like he's had, like I said, we're just doing our job. Everybody in the lineup, 1 through 9, when he's swinging it like that, we're just trying to find a way to get on base and let him do his thing.

Q. What's it like playing in the Trop from your perspective?

JO ADELL: It's a ballpark that takes a couple times to get used to, especially with some of the catwalk stuff. As an outfielder in the past, I remember having to track the ball a little bit differently as an outfielder.

It can play relatively fast here, too. But for the most part, other than that, getting used to the turf and the roof a little bit on fly balls. Other than that, it's pretty good. Pretty normal.