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Levine: Momentum? Whatever You Want To Call It, Cubs Feeling Good

By Bruce Levine--

LOS ANGELES (CBS) -- The perception that the Cubs' belief in themselves was wavering at any point in this National League Championship Series was a misnomer.

"Momentum" is a strange word created for political races and sporting events, one that's tossed around so frequently without a ton of thought. But whatever you want to call it, after a breakout 10-2 win against the Dodgers in Game 4 on Wednesday night, Cubs players remain as even-keeled and confident as they've ever been throughout an impressive season. The NLCS is now tied 2-2.

"We know we are going back to Chicago and at least playing one more game there," outfielder Jason Heyward said.

"We have earned that. To win one the road against the Dodgers was huge. The answer back to the loss (on Tuesday) was a big step for us."

In what's been an evenly matched series -- each team winning one close contest and being in near-complete control in another -- both sides are aware that a seven-game battle may await. The last two such games would take place at Wrigley Field after Game 5 is played at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night.

"I don't know if we have an edge or not," Heyward said. "You are playing great teams in the postseason. You are playing teams that are hot. You have confident teams that have advanced past the first round. You will be facing everybody's best pitching. The relievers are going to be on. Guys are going to have great at-bats. The momentum swings both ways."

This much is certain: The Cubs' locker room was full of players who had a huge weight taken off of there shoulders after Wednesday's win put back-to-back shutout losses in the rearview mirror.

"We just had not been ourselves as of late," infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist said. "That (fourth) inning (scoring four) kind of busted things out for us. This was a huge offensive confidence builder. We did all the little things to win. That is what championship teams must do."

Of course, confidence can change from pitch to pitch, batter to batter in such close series. That's why it's important to keep an even-keeled approach throughout the ups and downs.

"These series are long," Zobrist said. "Momentum can shift a couple of different times. With Jon (Lester) on the mound, our confidence is high. We feel good about ourselves after the offense broke out."

Added third baseman Kris Bryant: "Our confidence is always high. I think people see that in us. We know you have to win four in this series. That is kind of where we are at. Losing Tuesday kind of drove us because we were able to turn it on (Wednesday). I don't get caught up in how long this series will go. I just like to look at the next game. We have a great approach to each game and are confident in all of the guys in here."

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

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