How To Be A Successful Relief Pitcher

As a relief pitcher, you want to make every day the same. You have to be ready to pitch every day, even though you may not get into the game. You don't want to get the call and be unprepared, so routines are important.

When I was pitching in the Chicago Cubs organization as a closer, I'd grab a glass of Gatorade in the fourth inning, do a dynamic stretching routine (my rope flex program, found here), visualize the guys I may face in the sixth inning. After that, you just want to stay loose so that if you're called to pitch, you're ready.

What makes you successful at relief pitching?