AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: GUARDIANS VS RAYS

October 18, 2026

Travis Bazzana

Progressive Field

Cleveland Guardians

Pregame 5 Press Conference

Q. With the series 2-2, what's the vibe in the clubhouse? What's the feeling with the team?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: Yeah, I think it's good. We've been in situations where it becomes must-win or closer to that all year. We love these kind of situations. We're just excited for the opportunity today and kind of this three-game series that's here in front of us.

Just gotta play our best baseball and make every pitch the focus and not the past or the future.

Q. I know you've played in a lot of big games on a lot of big stages. This obviously has to be pretty close to chief among them. How long did it take for the game to kind of slow down for you a little bit where you could feel like, now this is something I can treat like any other game?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: I think I'm still kind of still learning, still experiencing these big games. But it definitely, as time's gone on, it slows down a little more.

I think, in college you would even get sped up for games that aren't as big as this. But then you get to pro ball, and you feel that a little bit. And then the WBC and here, are kind of where it's been the pinnacle of that intensity and emotion and how much care there is for the game.

I feel like I'm getting better at it, but you've just got to kind of continue to be present. It's cliché stuff, but whatever is happening, or has happened, can you flush it and focus on the next pitch and how you can impact the game?

But I love when the moment gets bigger and the game gets closer. That's what we all play for. And I'm excited to have those opportunities the next couple of games.

Q. This kind of preceded you, the team back against the wall last year. Why is this team so good when it seems like it's the toughest road ahead and you guys come out on top?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: It's hard to point to one thing, but I think the general, the culture in the clubhouse and the people that lead set a good example. I think where maybe we have an advantage is our guys seem to play hard through 162. And so when it's time to play hard, we've done that, the kind of you need to get it done, you need to run out a hard 90.

I think we do that all year long, so we're ready for when it's time to go, because it's just kind of how we roll. I think that's a thing.

And also just the fact that maybe no one's ego's above the team. And so you trust the guy next to you and you have a great relationship with him to, hey, I'm going to pick you up like you picked me up, next guy up.

I think there's just a collective identity that's really strong when it comes to those kind of situations.

Q. How do you view the pitching match-ups? In other words, what's your confidence in Parker? And what makes Drew challenging for you guys as an offense?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: Yeah, I have all the confidence in the world for Parker. He goes out and gives incredible outings every single time, and it's the ultimate competitor.

When it gets time to compete, there's no one you want more than him. He's a true bulldog and executes all his pitches super consistently. We love having Parker on the mound.

And then, Drew is obviously incredible, too, incredible story, incredible person. He has incredible character. I know Drew a little bit personally, but also just heard more from the people we were surrounded with at different stages at Oregon State.

But Drew's going to also compete with some of the best fastballs in the game and also offspeed after that. But we've just got to have our best approach and hope to do damage on the mistakes and work really strong at-bats and get the next guy up.

But it's going to be an incredible pitching match-up. And I think, yeah, it's going to be a good one to watch, for sure.

Q. Are you maybe looking forward to the day when we don't have to ask you about being the first Australian to homer in a postseason game, either because you've crossed all those firsts off the list, or because somebody who comes after you has done it?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: I hope that soon enough those things, like, I'm not the only person. I guess that would be nice. But, yeah, it's cool to know that I'm continuing to kind of do things that will show someone else that they can also go do that.

Hopefully soon enough we're seeing people knocking on the door and playing in these kind of environments, because it's pretty special to be here. And I'd love if I had WBC teammates that I could see on the other side of the field competing and showing what they can do too. It's cool, but I hope it continues.

Q. On Parker, you mentioned the way he competes in these big-game spots. How does that maybe set the tone for you guys behind him when you see a guy go out there the way that he does?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: Yeah, it's the energy. It's how you want to play. When people talk about Hosey's energy and how it rubs off on people, it's like Park has that when you're out there, too.

We have to use that to give him a lead, and we trust that he would keep that. We have to just, yeah, use it as fuel but stick to our plan offensively and play the defense, behind him because he's going to need it. But he also is going to strike guys out. It's going to be a combination of everyone.

Just use his care and his passion to kind of -- that's how everyone should be, I think.

Q. Did the rainout have any kind of negative effect on you guys going into last night's game?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: Obviously we didn't have our best one yesterday. But I don't think the rain -- we can't point to that being a factor. We'd be guessing or assuming.

I don't think so. Both teams are in the same situation. We didn't have our best one yesterday. But stuff happens, and I don't think the rain was a factor. But maybe you could guess that it was. I don't know. It didn't feel like it as a player, no.

Q. As a rookie throughout this season, can you talk about how the city of Cleveland has embraced you as one of their own?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: Yeah, the support for the whole kind of rookie group has been incredible. They've been believing and trusting the whole way through, really.

And we've all had our ups and downs, whether it's Chase, myself, Petey -- Park, less ups and downs; Park's been pretty lights out the whole year.

But, yeah, through the ups and downs, they've been trusting and excited about us to help this team win. It's nice that when we get the trust from the organization to go out and play every day, and then the fans also are excited to see that and supporting us, it's really cool. It's been a great first year.

Q. Did you hear from anyone back home about the home run last night?

TRAVIS BAZZANA: Yeah, I get a couple of messages. But not diving too deep into, like -- I don't know, there's probably people reposting it and stuff from back home, but I wasn't really looking at it. It was late last night, and just get up and go today. But they're always supporting that.