 Ones first question for Aaron Ken on the right Aaron no John Carl and in the starting lineup. What is his status update and in that what had you decided on Hicks? Kind of was leaning that way last night and then this morning kind of settled on it So I kind of called G and right when he got here and just said we're gonna stay away today He's gonna get around there out outside and move around a little bit more today Feel like he would be a Hitter off the bench option today And then we'll kind of see where we are again moving forward kind of day by day here But do feel like he's better and we'll see how some of his work is today Stay on the right Andy. I Know it's day to day with him, but are you optimistic that he could play the outfield again this postseason? Yeah, I'm optimistic, but I mean again, we'll have to we'll have to see it You know at least a little bit of an unknown and something that we're kind of working through day by day and Try and make good medical evaluation strength see how he's doing out there You know try and have real frank conversations with G as well and Try and then hopefully make the best decision Down the front Bruce. So what do you expect from Hicks? A Couple homers walk no Feel like physically he's he's in a good spot and he's doing well and moving well feels good Obviously a really good player for us You know the big question mark is he he hasn't played in a couple months So that's the challenge feel good good about the fact that he got in there in game two Felt like he had a really good at bat very Aaron Hicks like it back where he's taken pitches with ease Hit the ball hard And feel like Aaron likes this stage likes The the more important it is usually he's he's he's he's better off for that So my expectation, you know, he's sitting at the bottom of the order for us tonight Expect them to go out and play a good center field and hopefully give the you know the good thing about Aaron is usually whether he's going well or not usually he's a tough at bat and Like that at the bottom of our order Okay, we're gonna stay with on the right Aaron, obviously you guys have leaned on the bullpen heavily this playoff during the playoffs What's your level of concern that the longer the series wears on that Houston hitters might become a little bit more familiar with What they're seeing from your relievers Well, we know Houston has a really good offense, so they're a challenge But we also have a lot of confidence in our guys and know that You know if they're in out there in positions to be successful if they execute have a ton of confidence in them You know no matter how deep this series goes. So Know it's a tough matchup but ton of confidence in our guys the far right Bob And last night did you watch the game with your dad and what's that like exchanging information with him? I did watch it with him quite a bit of it It was reserved It's like hey, man, I can't have too good of a conversation with him right now No, so we you know It's one of my son's birthday. So we had you know dinner and cake and sat around and watched the game a little bit and We didn't talk a lot about it, but just you know Strasburg was obviously on top of things last night, so It was kind of quiet Or the right Tyler Aaron in that in that Washington series obviously they're getting a lot from their starters and Houston tends to do that, too You of course take a different approach. What makes your approach? Work for you compared to the way some other teams have been handling it In terms of getting more from your bullpen right when you're starter Well, I mean, it's you know, I think one of the strengths of our club is is the depth of our bullpen and You know We probably rely on you know the 12 13 pitchers of that we have More so than most teams that are tend to be a little more top-heavy You know, we're We're gonna lean on most all our guys, you know, that said we also have you know starters Seve included going today that are capable of going and matching other teams elite pitchers. So I Would just say Feel like our depth of staff Is one of our strengths the far right Joe Aaron over your two years here when you've had a struggling talented player during the regular season You've seen the big picture and stuck with it almost always to the positive I wonder how you weigh that if someone is struggling this time of year when the season is so short I'm thinking maybe in canarsio and is suddenly not hitting and really out of Vino has had some problems guys I'm sure you would stick with just if it was mayor June. Mm-hmm Yeah, first with Edwin, I don't really see that. I mean I I look at you know He got pitched tough for two games and But as far as Edwin goes and you know his ability to change a game and and throw up a tough at bat my confidence hasn't wavered at all and You know this time of year you're gonna face obviously great pitchers that so much is poured into every single pitch that You're gonna have a hiccup here and there along the way. That's part of it But my confidence hasn't wavered at all for as for Otto, you know, if we're gonna go deep in this He's he's gonna play a big role in that, you know there's some spots in in this lineup where he's gonna have to get big outs and Have the confidence that he has all the weapons to do that And even you know looking back at game to you know He made a first pitch of the inning mistake that you know didn't get hit up for a hit It got left the ballpark and you know, you look at his body of work right after that It was a tough part of the lineup that he you know Got strikeouts weak contact and did his job. So Feel like he's Still gonna play a huge role in us getting deep into this Over here on the left Anthony Aaron the forecast being what it is for tomorrow. Do you spend time Preparing for a rain out or is that something that you just wait until it happens in terms of pitching and other things that might be affected Not dinner plans I mean a little bit, you know, obviously that that if that were to happen You know that changes some things moving forward as far as our rotation potentially moving guys up But I don't think it changes much about today, I mean we're we're gonna see where our You know relievers are and what we feel like we have Available with them going into a game like today and you know, we're gonna go and pour everything in we can to to win in a Ballgame knowing that you know, obviously tomorrow doesn't look good, but If it did look good, I don't think it necessarily changes the approach Down here on the right Barry. Hey Aaron With all the Manipulation you'd had to do with the team this year because of all the injuries Plus what you just spoke about with how you've dealt with the pitching staff What's your reaction when your name comes up as manager of the year in the American League? I mean We're like Entrenched in the Houston Astros in the ALCS right now. So that's that's flattering and all but That's that's more a product of of what our teams done and what our organization's done but I'm Kind of consumed with this and and hopefully going out and and getting one today Okay, we'll take a couple more in the back middle right here Your team is back home for the next three games Obviously your team is flourished here in the regular season. How much does that benefit them to be back on their home turf for the next three? Um We love playing here our guys are comfortable here obviously are confident here, you know I'd say we're confident wherever we play though so we always like coming home home here knowing that We feel like we have a home field advantage certainly playing here we know our fans are are going to be special and Hopefully allow us to have even a little bit more of an advantage with with the energy that they bring So I think our guys are excited to get home and and play in such a big time to match up In the Bronx and Yankee Stadium, baby doesn't beat that On the right in the middle It's obviously a two elite pitchers going today But our runs going to be at even more of a premium given the start time and the weird shadows that can pop up I mean, yeah, it makes it Potentially more of a challenge no question so you combine, you know, obviously a couple couple great pitchers and in that time of day, but you know Still, you know, all of a sudden you get a couple guys out there and somebody takes advantage of a mistake and You know just when you think you got a game pictured in your mind It can it can get altered a little bit especially when you're talking about Two really good offenses as well, but it certainly presents a challenge Thank you, Eric. All right, Tommy Kaylee and Chad