AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: GUARDIANS VS RAYS

October 12, 2026

Parker Messick

Tropicana Field

Cleveland Guardians

Pregame 1 Press Conference

Q. What contingent size do you expect to be here tomorrow for you?

PARKER MESSICK: Pretty large group of people coming. Mostly family. I know my hometown is throwing a little bit of a watch party. So that may keep a lot of people over there. It's going to be fun.

Q. You've done the hometown start before at two different stadiums. How do you think this one is going to compare for you tomorrow?

PARKER MESSICK: Both times, I've kind of had to deal with being at home, seeing family, having a bunch of people want to come, obviously. I think I've handled it both times pretty well, both starts have been fine. So I anticipate this just being another day I get to see family and get to pitch in front of the people that care most about me.

Q. Can you walk us back through your experience here as a kid. Was it the '08 World Series?

PARKER MESSICK: Yeah, I came to the only game they won, '08 World Series. I've taken laps around the field with my Little League All-Star banners from winning those tournaments. I mean, I've grown up here, loved coming to games here all the way through college, even.

So I have so many good memories here. It's an awesome experience every time I get to step out there. And to be able to do it on this stage now is just an incredible opportunity. Thankful to the Lord for that. So hopefully it will be a good one.

Q. Anything you can take away from pitching on the road in Game 4 and just that experience of maybe, you obviously pitched in Game 1 and 2 in that environment, but specifically Game 4 and kind of the hostile environment?

PARKER MESSICK: Yeah, that was definitely a hostile environment. Those were some of the craziest fans that I've ever played in front of. It was a lot of fun, though. I say it all the time, I love pitching in that kind of environment.

Just kind of taking what I did well, I mean that was like my sixth time facing the White Sox that year. I think everyone was to the point where we're ready to see someone in a different uniform.

So just kind of honestly taking what I did well and building off of that, and then just kind of throwing all the other stuff out. I mean, there was high-energy moment, couple big innings, missed some pitches by tiny margins that ended up in walks. So I mean, if the ball's a ball towards the plate, I think we're talking a whole different conversation. Not really too much to be worried about. Just take what I did good and build off of it.

Q. You've well exceeded previously your innings career high. What are you doing at this time of year to try to keep your body as fresh as you can with innings?

PARKER MESSICK: I'm honestly just trusting the routine that's got me to this point. I think we haven't really seen a velo drop-off. I think I still was averaging, you know, 96. I think it was one of my hardest averages of the year last start.

So I think my body feels good right now. You can definitely tell it's October baseball. But it's just everyone goes through it. You've got to find a way to dig deep and keep going. I feel great, though, no complaints.

Q. Do you view José as a leader? When you first came up last year, was he a guy that kind of took you under his wing a little bit even though you're a pitcher and he's a hitter?

PARKER MESSICK: Yeah, he's definitely a leader in the clubhouse. He's a leader to anyone that steps in that building. He's the man on and off the field. He's one of the funniest guys to be around. He's always having a good time. And even when he wasn't playing, he was there for us, cheering us on, and leading us in the clubhouse. So he's definitely a leader. He's always been the man to me. So I appreciate everything he does.

Q. What would you like the world to know about Plant City, Florida?

PARKER MESSICK: Great people, great food, and the Strawberry Festival is awesome.