Levine: Cubs Tune Out Hype As Party Atmosphere Bubbles In Wrigleyville

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- With mass hysteria awaiting at the corner of Clark and Addison, Cubs players are staying away from the hype as much as they can entering Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Saturday at Wrigley Field.

"We have been able to focus on each game individually all year," veteran catcher David Ross said, with his team one victory over the Dodgers away from its first World Series trip since 1945. "We are excited about playing at home, but we have a lot of work to do. We can't worry about what is happening on Clark Street. We need to think about Clayton Kershaw and how we will attack him."

The theme is the same from locker to locker in the Cubs clubhouse. Veterans and younger teammates alike have the same concentration level heading into the game.

"We know the fans are having a good time with all of this," third baseman Kris Bryant said. "Rightfully so. We believe in ourselves, and we know they believe in us. We expect them to be loud and there for us."

Beating ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw will be the barrier to hurdle for the Cubs. He threw seven shutout innings of two-hit ball to lead Los Angeles to a 1-0 win in Game 2.

"Of course it helps," Bryant said about seeing Kershaw for the second time in a week. "Especially because we had not faced him all year. That was a little different. We faced him a couple of days ago, and that is always an advantage for (a hitter the second time through). It is easier to replay those mental notes. You can learn from it, and we are certainly going to do that."

The Cubs aren't taking the moment for granted, Bryant said.

"Certainly we are all enjoying all of this time," Bryant said. "You never know the next time you are going to be in this situation. We don't take it for granted. We hope the fans are as loud as they can be. We are certainly going to play as hard as we can. That is all you can ask."

The Cubs are 0-6 in their history in NLCS games in which they could clinch the series.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.