Paul Blackburn Prepares for Crucial Games in Yankees' Season

SAN DIEGO — Paul Blackburn has pitched in one career playoff game, which occurred during a blowout in the ALDS last October. As he approaches the final stretch of the season, Blackburn is set to pitch in high-pressure games, taking on a more significant role than anticipated at the start of the season. Blackburn noted that his teammates often tease him about his calm demeanor on the mound. "A lot of guys give me crap because they say I’m out there looking like I’m sleeping," Blackburn said. He added, "I feel like I’ve gotten to the point now in my career where I feel like I can control the adrenaline out there. Every day is different, obviously. There’s some days you’re out there [with] a lot more adrenaline than you have the next day. It’s just part of it, part of being a reliever. Once you start feeling like you’ve faced every situation that you could possibly face, just being out there more, you get used to it."