Pennant Clinch Takes Some Pressure Off Cubs Moving Into World Series, Expert Says
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Could the Cubs actually have less pressure in the World Series than they did a week ago? CBS 2's Jim Williams tried to find the answer.
Clinching the pennant after 71 frustrating years was an enormous hurdle for this franchise and a likely confidence booster going into the World Series, says one sports psychology expert.
Think of what these young men have heard since they started playing for the Cubs: fans pleading for the team to win for their elderly grandparents, all the heartbreaking history thrown in their faces.
And you can't escape it if you're a Cubs player.
"Correct, it's all over the place," says Dr. Michele Kerulis, a sports psychology consultant.
But winning the pennant, Kerulis say, might set the stage for an even better performance against the Indians.
"Now that they actually made to the World Series, the pressure might be off just a little bit," she says.
Two of the stars -- Addison Russell and Anthony Rizzo -- showed their resiliency by breaking out of slumps to produce big hits late in the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers.
"To be an elite athlete, you already have this amazing sense of confidence that is more than we see in the general population," Kerulis says. "But sometimes, that confidence can fluctuate. So in order to really excel and they break out of a slump like that the confidence goes skyrocket a bit."
Kerulis told CBS 2 the Cubs are helped by manager Joe Maddon, whose laid-back, relaxed approach aims to reduce pressure.
