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It's easy to overlook one of the Nationals' most reliable relievers -- one of the only remaining pitchers already trusted by Manny Acta to handle late inning, high pressure situations. For three seasons, despite his consistency, Rivera has flown under the radar with a quiet confidence. The workhorse has pitched in 215 games with a career ERA of 3.72 for the Nationals. But he's never one to jump in the spotlight. Last night, as his big name Puerto Rican teammates met with the media, Rivera looked surprised to be summoned to the interview rooms at the World Baseball Classic.

In this year's tournament, Rivera carries a pristine 0.00 ERA in 2.2 innings of work over four games. Last night, he pitched a clean eighth, retiring a tough part of Venezuela's lineup in Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez. As always, he did it quietly.

"I just focus on what I have to do. I just think, I ain't going to let anybody down. I gotta do my job. I throw my pitches and we see what happens. Same pitching. I don't go out there and try to do too much. I just want to do my job," Rivera said after the game.

That job is very different here in Miami or earlier in the tournament in Puerto Rico compared to playing in Washington. The crowds are passionate and electric; they collectively react to every pitch of the game with roars of emotion. It's an atmosphere that the quiet Rivera has thrived in and one that he believes has prepared him well for bigger, more important games.

"These kind of crowds are like a World Series maybe. You know I've never been to a World Series, someday hopefully. But this is like loud all of the time. You know, people are fighting in the stands. It's a good atmosphere. I love it. People are like playing drums and playing instruments all the time and whistling. It's crazy. I like it. I love to pitch in those situations where it's those loud moments."

The opportunity to represent Puerto Rico inspired him, but he also felt confident that the Classic would help prepare him for high pressure situations in the regular season. He spent some time playing winter ball in Puerto Rico this offseason as part of that preparation.

"It gave me like a little push to get ready, I'm getting there hopefully. Hopefully, I've done enough work. You know, it makes me like strong in mind, maybe because I've been focusing and I've just been preparing myself for certain situations." Whether those situations include inheriting runners in scoring position or even fielding his own grounders, Rivera looks ready for the regular season.

Despite his team's advancement to further rounds in the Classic or even their decisive win over U.S.A. on Saturday, Rivera believes he has already experienced the highlight of his Classic experience while pitching in front of his family and friends in Puerto Rico. "God, it means a lot. It's like hard to explain. Like you know, Roberto Clemente and Edgar Martinez, those big names. It's like for them you just have to keep fighting and playing hard. It means a lot to Puerto Ricans."

Of course, it means a lot to him and his teammates as well. "It's just like, yeah we're going to go do something for our country, like something big. You know, there are no words to explain this feeling. It's just a really big honor."

Rivera had no hesitation when asked to join the tournament. In fact, he said he would do it again in a heartbeat. "Oh my God, if I got the chance, yeah, if they invite me again, definitely."

Saul Rivera and his teammates from Puerto Rico take on the U.S.A. tonight at 7 p.m. in an elimination game. The winner will move on to the Semifinals in Los Angeles.