Q. Vlady, what does it mean for you to have this opportunity starting at home here against the Yankees in front of your crowd?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: Definitely very proud. Very proud of starting this very important series against our fans, our family. It's very important for us.
Q. We were just talking to your manager, John Schneider, and he was speaking about how you've used the last few days. How are you feeling going into this series and especially against the Yankees, a team that you've played very well?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: I feel pretty good. I feel pretty good mentally, physically, been working very hard for that. The most important thing for me, it's winning. We've got to win. We've got to find a way to win regardless of how I feel. For me, that's the only thing in my mind that we've got to find a way to win games.
Q. Vlad, you know you're going to be here now long term. Your dad was obviously a big figure in Montreal, and you've been here your whole career. How do you feel about representing the country and this team in the playoffs at this point?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: I feel pretty good. Every time I wake up, that's my focus. That's all I have in my head, my mind, thinking about the way to win some games and to bring the World Series back to Toronto.
Q. You hit a lot of teams really well, but you've especially killed the Yankees in this season and in your career. Why is that, do you think?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: I mean, not really. It just happens that I do well against them.
Q. And you've alluded to a history with the Yankees organization. Just when you play them, does it feel personal to you?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: To anything, it's personal for me.
Q. Any more personal for the Yankees?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: Same thing with all the teams.
Q. Obviously at the start of the season you signed a historic contract. What do you feel in this postseason you owe the team and owe fans?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: I mean, it feels great. It feels great. That's why you work very hard. All along, that was what I have in my mind, to sign a contract and to be here my entire career. Thank God it happened. That's what we worked for, and now it's time to win.
Q. How has not playing in the Wild Card series and having five days off helped you and/or your teammates?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: Oh, it definitely helps a lot. It helps a lot, especially physically. After you play a long season, 162 games, it's hard, especially for your body. Winning the division, having those days off, it's been great for me and for my teammates.
Q. What are your thoughts on Kevin Gausman starting Game 1?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: Definitely an excellent, excellent pitcher. Kevin is the type of pitcher that every time he goes out there, he gives you all he's got. If we give him the ball in the first game, it's because we have all the confidence in him.
Q. You guys had to play the last few weeks of the season without Bo in the lineup. How much of a challenge has it been to succeed without his talent there in spite of all the other weapons you guys have?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: It's hard to play without Bo. Obviously we didn't want that to happen, but it's just part of baseball. Sometimes you've got to find a way to grind it as a team and to go out there and try to keep winning, keep advancing. That way we'll give him a chance to recover fast, and hopefully he can be with the team in the future.
Q. You've talked a lot this season about the trust in the lineup and around you. How does that help you in your approach in the batter's box, and how do you think that might translate in the postseason now?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: My approach has always been the same. Like I always say, I'm a team player. It's not about me. I know I cannot do it by myself. So that way I have trust, I have all the confidence in my teammates on doing their part. Like I always say, I'm trusting everyone. I have confidence in everyone in the lineup, and I think together we're going to put a good run to win some games.
Q. George Springer has had a phenomenal season and he's been a great leader. What kind of impact has that given you and your teammates to watch George Springer have such a successful season?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: Seeing what George is doing right now for the team, it makes things a lot easier for the rest of us. I've been watching George since his Houston days. I always admired George as a player, as a human being.
Yeah, he's having an incredible season right now, and it's definitely helping us a lot.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports