In his first postseason Adolis García has been a key figure in Texas making it all the way to the ALCS. The native of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba has come up with key hit after key for the team from the Lone Star State.
In the playoffs the slugger is hitting a solid .282 with three longballs, eight runs batted in and is slashing .300/.538/.838 to combine with Josh Jung as the main threats in a lineup stack with hitters.
Heading into a pivotal Game 5 the outfielder is confident his team can get off the mat and take a lead with the series heading back to Houston for the next contest. Below are excerpts from today’s pregame press conference at Globe Life Field:
Doing what he does. #GoAndTakeIt pic.twitter.com/DekhCODvv8
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) October 20, 2023
How are you guys feeling after the last two days and heading into this one?
The mentality remains the same, we’re going out there to win today. We know that we’re facing a tough opponent. We’ve known that the whole year. So it’s just about the preparation that we’re putting in and hopefully we’ll get good results today.
You know how much everybody on this team feeds off of your emotion. Last night after the home run you were pretty fired up. At the single you were yelling at the dugout on your way to first base. How much are you trying to give this team an emotional lift, maybe even beyond what you normally do?
I think I’m just trying to get that boost of energy to the team. No matter what situation, we’re winning or we’re down in the game. I’m just trying to get that boost for the team until that final out.
What are you seeing from Leody in center field and at the plate? And it does appear to me that he’s playing with a little bit more swagger and confidence. Are you seeing that, too?
I think so. I agree with that. I think Leody is someone that’s playing with a lot of confidence right now. I’ve always thought he’s a five-tool player. I think the postseason has provided that platform to step up and elevate his game.
Josh Jung, do you and him have some interesting interactions after big hits? But what have you seen in him and his development and how he’s taken this year to emerge after a little bit of a taste last year?
I think Jung is someone who is an emerging talent in this game. I think he’s someone who’s there with us no matter what the scoreboard says. Even if we’re winning or losing, he’s there providing support, boosting confidence of everyone. I think he’s going to be a great player in the game, and he’s doing a great job for us.
You, Leody and Evan have provided a ton of defensive value. How much pride do the three of you take in playing really good defense and keeping in the game constantly?
I think we’ve been doing a great job out there, all three of us. We put in the work, we feel like we’re being prepared, trying to get prepared for every game. And it’s not always just batting or the offensive side of the game, it’s also that defensive side.
I think we provide a boost for the pitcher, as well, knowing that anything that could get hit or go out there, we’ll be there to help out.
When you play a best-of-seven series, you see a lot of the same pitchers, starters and relievers. Is that an advantage to the hitter or more advantage to the pitcher?
I think it helps just in preparation in general. I think we’ve been seeing the same pitchers or at least most of the pitchers throughout the whole year. I think it really benefits both sides. They’ve seen us, we’ve seen them. So it is really better for preparation for both teams.
Q. You’re one of the few guys that were down a couple of years ago. What have you seen in this organization that’s allowed you to get to this point, not only for what happened this year, but building for the future?
I think the organization has just done a great job of bringing in guys and developing guys who are just good at baseball and trying to do everything and win out there.
They’re good guys trying to be prepared for every game. I think we have a good team, and I think we’re still going to have a successful team that’s going to give people things to talk about in the remaining games and in future seasons.