Rodriguez spoke before the critical game of the American League Championship Series about his emotions, his process and what the M's need to do in order to reach the World Series.
TORONTO -- If Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez has any nerves before Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night, he didn't show them during a pregame press conference Monday afternoon.
Smiling and jovial in a roomful of reporters, Rodriguez said he's excited to take part in the first Game 7 of his career - and the first Game 7 of the Mariners' franchise history.
"I'm definitely really excited. This is my first time being part of a Game 7, and they say in sports that there are no better two words than that, so I'm very excited for today."
Big game prep
While Rodriguez has never played in a Game 7 before, he has had several unique experiences that have helped prep him for this moment.
He's participated in the 2021 (2020) Tokyo Olympics, the World Baseball Classic, and he's played in four different playoff series now, including a Game 5 in the American League Division Series this season, which the Mariners won 3-2 in 15-innings.
A brotherhood
The Mariners have spoken all season about their resilience, so when Rodriguez was asked about what makes this clubhouse special, here was his answer:
"The brotherhood that we have with each other. I feel like we really get along with each other. We really like to play for each other, and I feel like that's something that separates us. A few of us have been playing together for a while, and I feel like we definitely see each other as brothers, and I feel like that's why we are able to take the field and compete for each other."
A change for Game 7?
Rodriguez was asked if he felt the urge to do anything different for Game 7, or felt the need to try to do more, and he said no, that he thinks the team has gotten here by doing things a certain way, and everyone needs to stick with that plan.
News and notes
--In the above clip, you can also hear Rodriguez talk about his relationship with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., which extends back to the Dominican winter league in 2020.
--After three games in a row out of the lineup, Victor Robles is back in the lineup instead of Dominic Canzone.
--The Mariners are playing for their first World Series appearance, while the Jays haven't been since 1993.
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