AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: GUARDIANS VS RAYS

October 17, 2026

Parker Messick

Progressive Field

Cleveland Guardians

Postgame 4 Press Conference

Rays- 7, Guardians - 3

Q. Just looking at where you are with your innings and stuff, I know the adrenaline in the postseason is a little different, but how are you working through that right now?

PARKER MESSICK: Yeah, honestly, my body feels great. No complaints of where I'm at. I know I'm kind of soaring well over career high. But I feel great. I felt great all year. Thanks to the Lord for that because it can definitely get, for some people, getting this late in the year, you start to hurt a little bit. Feel good. Just going to keep going.

Q. Obviously with a 2-2 tie, getting the ball going into Game 5, what does that mean to you to have the opportunity to go to Tropicana but with the lead?

PARKER MESSICK: Oh, it's an incredible blessing. To be able to take the ball in this game shows the confidence the team has in me. And hopefully I'm able to go out there and do the job because, like you said, I know how important it is going into opposing territory with a lead, one game away from heading to the World Series. So just looking forward for the opportunity, and hopefully do my best out there.

Q. Before the rainout were you thinking you're Game 6 in Tampa? And when did you figure out that you're going to be pitching tomorrow?

PARKER MESSICK: Honestly, I had no idea up until a couple minutes ago. I just kind of just did my normal weekly routine like I was throwing on the fifth day. And obviously the original plan, there was no fifth day.

You just kind of got to play it by ear. I just wanted to prepare the same way I've prepared all year. Thankfully I did because here we are.

Q. So innings aside, just watching some of these guys and the reputation that your whole group has for pitching, who are those that you've learned from the most outside of Carl Willis?

PARKER MESSICK: I mean, our entire roster up and down. Everybody that walks in this building has played a role the season that I've had this year, whether it's strength and conditioning, the training room staff, nutrition -- everyone's played a huge role.

The conversations I've had with players have helped me, the words I can't describe. Everyone in this building's just been so helpful. And I couldn't be more grateful to be a part of this organization.