AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: GUARDIANS VS RAYS

October 15, 2026

Gavin Williams

Progessive Field

Cleveland Guardians

Postgame 3 Press Conference

Guardians - 3, Rays - 2

Q. What did it mean to be able to punch out a victory like that and take a series lead in the American League Championship Series?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: Yeah, the punch-outs are cool, but I think there's a bigger goal than just the punch-outs. I think it's more of trying to help the team win and give the best possible shot throughout the game to get the win.

Q. For you out there, what was the crowd like? I know obviously things shifted around, 1:00 on a weekday. So what did it feel like out there for you?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: They were awesome out there. The Cleveland fans are going to show up no matter what. I know it's probably 24 hours notice for them, but props to them for getting here.

They're always loud. I'll always say that, too. Doesn't really matter the weather, they're always going to be here.

Q. Vogt mentioned that they wanted to be aware of what you had already done over the weekend for them, and they noticed a little bit of a velo dip and wanted to ultimately, obviously, keep you around if they need you later on. How are you feeling in that inning? Did you notice that velocity dip yourself?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: Yeah, I feel good. I definitely noticed it a little bit, but I've done something that I never did last week. So I thank them, too. They noticed it a little bit. So see what I've got in two days or five days, whatever they need from me.

Q. How did you feel in this start compared to Game 5 in the ALDS?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: I feel the same. Just going out there, doing my job like I need to. But everything felt good.

Q. Could you have gone a little deeper into the game, do you think?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think so. But I know before the game, the pitching staff and whoever else they have, they a strategy. They talk about it, and if that's what they wanted to do in the fifth, that's what they wanted to do.

Q. You had the one mistake on the triple, but just how tough and fine of a line is it walking that minefield, that top of that Rays lineup and just how dangerous they are as hitters?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: Yeah, they're very dangerous. Just being able to pick your spots and pick the right pitch in different locations, it can get tricky. They can flip the script on you real quick, and you never know what they're really going to be doing or sitting on.

Q. To have this crowd here tonight, but also that moment with Petey and just the way that everything was kind of going, were you feeding off of that energy each time that you went out there, no matter how you were feeling?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: Oh for sure. It's easy to feed off of this crowd. It's a big baseball town, big sports city, and they love their sports here. They get into it and I love it.

Q. You mentioned that you were coming off something that you hadn't done before with the appearances in the previous series. I'm wondering, as you're asking your body to do things that maybe it hasn't done on this stage, what are some of the things you learn about your body -- recovery, things that you maybe need that are different from regular season?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: Yeah. You don't always have to do more. You can keep the same routine. Sometimes doing more, it can hurt you a little bit. But I think I just gotta keep doing the same thing, and I'll be good.

Q. Why do you think you've thrived so well so far in this postseason? Obviously it's the biggest stage you're going to be on as a baseball player?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: That's a good question, actually. I can't pinpoint it. I just keep telling myself, don't let the moment get too big. Take your deep breath when you need to and keep the heart rate down.

Q. What are you seeing from Petey and the way he's risen up, too, kind of alongside you this postseason run?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: Petey's the man. I mean, not even just the postseason, but throughout the regular season, he's done it. He's come up big in the moments we need him. He's going to have a good career. He's going to have a long career too.

Q. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate his bat flip?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: I think it was pretty good. I know some other people not like it, but I loved it. Definitely got into the dugout a little bit. I love it.

But Petey can do whatever Petey wants to do, especially coming up big like that.

Q. You can't really control it and it might not necessarily impact you individually, but when games move up and the uncertainty of tomorrow and shifting around in this series, what's your team's mindset of navigating that, the uncertainties and the uncontrollables?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: Just gotta control what you can control. We have no say-so if the game gets moved up or gets moved back. Just got to focus on ourselves and do the job we know how to do and not let anything else impact us.

Q. Vogter has talked a little bit about how Petey's, a rookie, has come up as a leader in the clubhouse. What have you seen from him? And how has that become possible within the group that you guys have curated?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: Yeah, he's fit in real well. He's not afraid of anything. He's a funny guy, too. He'll crack a joke with you, it doesn't matter who you are.

But Petey is one of a kind. He's awesome. Everybody loves being around Petey as well.

Q. What is it about this ballclub that just what it looks like momentum has been stolen from you, someone finds a way to grab it back?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: I think everybody here is just gritty. They want the win. Everybody has a purpose. That's the big thing is being gritty and knowing what you need to do in the right situations.

Q. As you're watching the duel between Cade and Yandy there, how were you viewing it? And when you're seeing a battle like that, do you think along with your pitcher in terms of what you might throw in that spot? How do you experience that kind of a thing?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think when every pitcher's in there, you're kind of thinking of what you would throw in that situation.

But it was a good battle. Yandy's a good hitter. And Cade's also a good pitcher. So it's power on power, really.

Q. On the topic of leadership, and Vogt emphasized it when he was in here just a little bit ago as well, you guys, of course, have had it all year long, but just speak to how that has helped you guys not make that moment bigger than it actually is, like you mentioned a little bit earlier?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: Yeah, we're a tight-knit group, do a lot of things together, not just at the field but away from the field. I think that makes the team better. And just being able to bond with one another a lot more than just being at the field helps out a lot. It can carry a long ways.

Q. When Cade comes into a game like that -- I don't know if you were watching or you were getting treatment, or were you still in the dugout -- what's the feeling? I mean, when he comes into a situation like that, you know, with a guy on third?

GAVIN WILLIAMS: I mean, Cade's been nails all year. We know what he's going to do. We know what to expect from Cade. Honestly, nothing fazes Cade; shows no emotion. And I love that from him. But he's special in every aspect of his life.