I'd like to think that on a lot of teams, I'd be a No.1. The thing I do know is that every time I take the mound, in my mind I'm the best pitcher in the league.

For the most part my year went pretty good. I had a couple abysmal starts that really ruined my stats. You can't have those. I need to show them I can be consistent with my pitches.

I try to not to think about the pressure. I don't want any more pressure on me. I just want to pitch my best and then put the ball in their hands. That way I can make the team by pitching my best.

It was nice of Jason to let me start that game. He didn't have to let me do that. It was nice to get a start.

As long as they say bullpen in St. Louis, then I'm all for it. I still think of myself as a starter. ... But this is a good change because it's giving me a big-league opportunity I wouldn't have had as a starter.

Something inside told me I was mentally and physically ready to play up here. It's one thing to tell yourself that, and it's one thing to believe it. I think this year I believed it for the first time. Other years I was just thinking it.

I thought there was a chance right from the beginning.

It's hard to be a No. 1 when you're not even No. 1 on your team.

I'd like to think that on a lot of teams, I'd be a No. 1. The thing I do know is that every time I take the mound, in my mind I'm the best pitcher in the league.

I think I can do way better. I'm not real pleased with today. I got out of some situations and pitched well when I needed to. It was not the start I was looking for, but there is a lot to learn from it.