Q: Is there more pressure on this team because of the 21-year wait for a playoff game?

A: "We're not carrying that pressure. We've played in pressure games. We've had a lot of practice. This is really no different. We fought hard to get back here and so that's a big advantage. We know that. It's going to be awesome having our fans behind us, for sure."

Q: What if you have that ball in the ninth inning?

A: "I'm excited. I'm not nervous. I didn't sign up for nervous. I'm confident. I'm going to enjoy this. This is what I work hard for in the offseason. You come to spring training this is what you dream about. Anxious is probably the better word. Because it's fight time."

Q: Best playoff advice you ever got?

A: "You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. It doesn't matter. You go out there play your hardest, play your best. Somebody's going to have a good game, somebody's going to have a bad game. There's going to be a winner, there's going to be a loser. ... So just go out there and play your best. And hope your day, on a day like tomorrow, it's big."

First Published: October 1, 2013, 4:00 a.m.