AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: GUARDIANS VS RAYS

October 19, 2026

Kevin Cash

Tropicana Field

Tampa Bay Rays

Postgame 6 Press Conference

Rays - 7, Guardians - 3

Q. Your thoughts on the Junior Caminero home run, which really seemed like the dagger of the game?

KEVIN CASH: My thoughts were, I was really excited. I know Cami had been feeling for it the last couple of days, wanting to come through for his team. Cami's played in a lot of big games, maybe none bigger than these last couple. And he certainly got a pitch off of just a very elite reliever to carry it and hit off the foul pole. I was pumped. Dugout erupted.

Q. Yandy Díaz predicted this victory and he came through with a home run there in the eighth inning. Just your thoughts on his performance?

KEVIN CASH: I'm really glad he backed it up. That's for sure. But happy for Yandy. Both those guys are so important to our club, with the rest of the 24 guys. But we know when Yandy goes, our offense seems to really take off.

Q. Freddy once again phenomenal. What did you see in this start that maybe you didn't see in the ALDS or in his first start in this series?

KEVIN CASH: Maybe some more velocity. I think he got to the point where -- his velocity was so high out of the gate, you were wondering how much he was going to be able to maintain it.

But I also think that might have been because of the inning that he pitched in Game 4, coming in and getting some big outs.

But couldn't be more impressed with the way he continued to take deep breaths and just make pitch after pitch for us.

Q. Do you think about Milwaukee or do you just enjoy the moment?

KEVIN CASH: I think you've got to enjoy the moment. I mean, it's easy to appreciate what we're getting ready to go do next and the challenges that lie ahead. That's a great team.

But for tonight, probably more appreciate the guys that you go to work with on a daily basis and realize what has just been accomplished.

Q. I know it's still very fresh, but considering what not only this team but this area has overcome in the last two years and now you guys are AL champions, to be in this stadium to win it, too, what does that mean?

KEVIN CASH: A lot. I'm glad you brought that up. 2020 was as special as any season I've been a part of. But saying that, we didn't have 40,000 people behind us. And excited to see what those 40,000 people can bring on games 3, 4 and 5, for sure.

But that crowd, I thought the DS crowd, Game 1, was the best crowd I've ever heard. This crowd tonight, they might have been a little bit better.