Emma: Cubs Unfazed By Adversity In World Series Fight
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- It only took a century-plus, but gone are the narratives of pressure and expectations for the Cubs -- the ultimate credit to Joe Maddon's managerial style.
As for the Cubs' second-year skipper, he owes it all to the greatest influence in his leadership style.
"Michael Scott," Maddon said with a smile Friday. "Probably the biggest influence. That's The Office, for those that don't watch TV."
Maddon's Cubs entered Game 4 of the World Series on Saturday trailing 2-1 to the Indians. The last time they trailed a postseason series 2-1 was ,wait for it, the 2016 NLCS.
Words like pressure or panic won't ever be uttered in reference to the Cubs. Their talent is too great to fold on this World Series stage, and their remarkable collective demeanor won't let it occur.
For all the Cubs' dominance in the regular season -- winning 103 games and clinching the NL Central in a landslide -- that doesn't mean they can't handle adversity.
"It's not the ideal situation to be in," Cubs left-hander Jon Lester said. "We want to be on the other side. But guys are confident. Guys are ready to play."
To tie this World Series, the Cubs must figure out dominating Indians ace Corey Kluber, then do the same with a fairly rested Andrew Miller and the rest of the relentless Cleveland bullpen. It's a tall task for a team that's been shut out four times this postseason, but the Cubs have been resilient along the way. Sounds simple, right?
Trailing the Dodgers 2-1 in the NLCS, they broke out in Game 4 in what started with a Ben Zobrist bunt. That sparked a 10-run outburst in that victory, and the Cubs never looked back.
"Sometimes, that's the way the game is," Zobrist recalled of his bunt. "But whatever you can do to try to get things going offensively, that's what I was trying to do."
With the Cubs up 3-2 in the NLCS last Saturday at Wrigley Field, the best pitcher in baseball, Clayton Kershaw, stood in their way. They hit him early and often, then celebrated inside their cathedral of a ballpark.
After trailing the series, the Cubs never looked back. How do they view this deficit?
"The same," Lester said. "We're focused on tonight."
Ah, tonight. That's the Maddon way of thinking. A comeback against this tenacious Tribe team won't come easy -- it's certainly more daunting of a task than from the NLCS -- but the Cubs at least have their heads in the right place. That starts with Maddon.
Saturday doesn't mean Game 4 of the World Series in his mind of those of his players -- it's simply Saturday. Come Game 5, regardless if the series is 2-2 or 3-1, it will only be Sunday for the Cubs.
Inside that swanky clubhouse, there's a championship pedigree with veterans like Lester, the Cubs' Game 5 starter, and John Lackey, the Game 4 starter. But there's also so much youth, which has been well-documented. The Cubs will start six players who are 27 or younger in Game 4.
All the young Cubs know is Maddon's way of thinking, which stresses each day, inning and at-bat. After looking lost at the plate in a frustrating Game 3 loss on Friday night, the Cubs feel they can be better with the bat.
Lackey has been in this position before, pitching a pair of World Series clinchers. Tying the series starts with him.
"This is why you play the game," Lackey said. "This is why I'm still playing at this stage of my career at this age. I'm trying to win championships and trying to be a part of something special."
You can be sure there's no sense of panic inside that Cubs' clubhouse. Maddon's culture won't allow that to happen, not even for the youngest players looking to find championship form.
The Cubs are unfazed by adversity in their World Series dream.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.