Brad was given a grueling workload. Now he's battle-tested for his new role.

If you think he's tipping, you get it fixed. But if you're throwing it middle of the plate, he's not tipping pitches. They're hitting bad pitches.

He didn't have the repertoire. He'd go out there relying on his fastball and get by with it for four innings, but eventually hitters would catch up.

I enjoy this role, but I don't think it was a silver lining because it was a grueling 12 months of rehab before that. I'd much rather have just stayed healthy and continue doing what I did before I got hurt. But I got a second life, and I've just tried to make the most out of that opportunity by preparing every time and get ready and stay focused every time that ninth inning comes up.

If there's one thing that we know that we are, it's battle-tested. We're not intimidated by situations, as far as being down by a touchdown or 10 points. We believe that we can get it done no matter what the circumstance.

Politics as battle has given way to politics as spectacle.