Johnny Cueto shows poise of a veteran

• Cueto is followed by Bronson Arroyo, Mat Latos and Homer Bailey
• Cueto is 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA at AT&T Park
• Cueto had a career year, with a 19-9 record and 2.78 ERA

SAN FRANCISCO — Johnny Cueto was in a jovial mood as he met reporters here Friday, smiling frequently during a post-workout press conference at AT&T Park.

The Cincinnati Reds' NLDS Game 1 starter showed the confidence of someone who has been there, done that and succeeded. At age 26, Cueto already is a five-year major league veteran and primed to lead the Reds in their quest for their first postseason win since the 1995 NLDS.

Pressure? Not here.

"I feel really well. I feel relaxed," Cueto said through translator Tomas Vera, a Reds assistant trainer.

NL Cy Young candidate Cueto had a career year, with a 19-9 record and 2.78 ERA. The 19 wins were the most by a Reds right-hander since Jack Billingham in 1974, and Cueto also set career highs for innings (217) and strikeouts (170).

By now, Dominican native Cueto is comfortable being the Reds' ace.

"I started Opening Day, and I was the first guy for the staff," Cueto said. "I don't have to change anything. All I need to do is a little more concentration. It's a best-of-five, so just concentrate a little more."

Cueto has pitched well in two career appearances at AT&T Park (1-1, 1.38 ERA).

Cueto had one start against the Giants this year, June 28 in San Francisco, when he lost despite allowing only two earned runs in six innings.

"This is a big ballpark," Cueto said. "So, yeah, I like to pitch here."

With his whirling, deceptive deliveries reminiscent of former All-Star Luis Tiant, Cueto has become dominant mainly with good fastball command. Cueto also has used his cutter more this year and has an above-average slider. His fastball generally sits between 91 and 93 mph, with the occasional 94 or 95.

The 5-foot-10, 214-pound Cueto also has made himself work harder. Between starts, Cueto often can be seen running the stadium steps.

"I think his work ethic has changed," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Johnny is a runner now. We stressed to him that in my time, most of the great pitchers that I've seen were runners. At the same time, Johnny has learned how to command the strike zone. He's learned how not to have to strike out everybody."

Cueto hit a rough patch in early September, when he allowed 14 earned runs in three starts. Cueto righted himself over his next three starts, when he allowed only three earned runs.

"He's throwing the ball great," Baker said. "There is not a pitcher in the world that doesn't have a bad stretch. If so, then everybody would win 20 games. Everybody was panicking because he had one bad stretch of games there. Johnny is fine."

Cueto pitched relatively well in his one postseason appearance, in Game 3 against Philadelphia in the 2010 NLDS. Cueto allowed two runs (one earned) in five innings as the Reds were blanked 2-0 by Cole Hamels.

"I see this team with more enthusiasm, more relaxed," Cueto said. "I see the team better. The last time it was kind of a not-knowing situation. I don't want to use this word but it was kind of like, it was a scary situation.

"Now it's not a scary situation. The team is relaxed and the team is prepared."