John Axford

But I guess that...

That is part of what you're taking with it, too.

Are you now relying on guys that are maybe struggling later in the game when things become a little more critical and a little more crucial?

Yesterday, it just didn't work out.

Later, early, it did.

Spencer Miles gave you everything that you needed.

Yeah, I mean, in the one sample size when I did do it, it was just throw strikes and get your team what you can.

And I actually ended up throwing the most innings of my career, three innings, because I just kept my pitch count down.

I probably threw as many pitches in those three innings as I had in high leverage in one inning at times.

But when I came in earlier in the games, there were the odd times I think a starter got hurt or something was blowing up early.

I think there were moments where I pitched in the second or third coming in relief.

those kind of mess with you mentally a little bit because you're preparing for something a little bit later in the game.

You have to reset, bring yourself back.

So I think clearing that sort of side mentally as much as you can to know that your team just needs you for pitches and outs right now.

keep the pitch count down, clear what you can to help your bullpen, because now if something like that happens and you're jumping in, you have to save your bullpen as much as you can as well.

So when you're used to the leverage, I think for me when I knew I was coming in, it's helpful.

That's where the opener I think is helpful for a guy who has to mentally prepare differently out of the pen.

But coming into high leverage early in the game becomes different than what you do later in the game.

as well.

We need you to get the cleanup hitter here kind of thing.