NOTES

For someone who says he doesn’t like to pitch under pressure, Juan Guzman seems to thrive when the tension is highest.

Guzman, who will start for the Blue Jays on Tuesday when the World Series shifts to Toronto’s SkyDome, pitched the Blue Jays’ AL East title-clinching victory over the Tigers and their pennant-clinching win over Oakland last Wednesday. Still, he grimaced and sighed at the thought of facing the Braves with the series tied, 1-1.

“It’s a lot of pressure for you, being in that situation so much,” said Guzman, who was 16-5 during the season. “I can tell you, I don’t like being in that situation. I don’t have any choice, but I just have to work hard. I keep focusing on what I’m going to do and prepare myself physically and mentally.”

Because he didn’t pitch at Atlanta, Guzman didn’t get to continue his ritual of climbing the stadium steps. His usual routine two days after he pitches is to run up the steps--and walk down--for 20 minutes. His least favorite place, he said, is Milwaukee.