Maddon says Cubs haven't looked anxious at plate

Cubs catcher Willson Contreras is a rookie, but he seemed to have the Cubs' problems on offense diagnosed after Friday night's 1-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians in Game 3 of the World Series.

"We didn't see a lot of pitches," Contreras said. "We were so anxious to win this game. That's why we fell behind in the count. We were too anxious today."

Maddon said Saturday he liked the ability of his young players to diagnose problems and then have the accountability to go with it.

He said if there was anxiety, it led to hitters chasing pitchers out of the strike zone.

But Maddon added he didn't sense anxiety before the first World Series game at Wrigley Field since 1945.

"Probably that manifested itself by swinging at bad pitches, because otherwise we played great defense," he said. "We were so aware of the moment defensively so you would also think it would translate over to the offensive side. I don't know. I didn't get that vibe from them before the game.

"But we showed a lot of self-awareness in that game defensively.

"We had a good game plan. I talked to (hitting coach) John Mallee before game. I liked what we were supposed to do. We just did not follow through, that's all."

He goes, they go:

Dexter Fowler led off the first inning Saturday for the Cubs with a double to left field. He scored on Anthony Rizzo's single. Fowler entered Game 4 batting .236 (13-for-55) in the postseason. When the Cubs are going well, Fowler often is their catalyst.

"He had good at-bats (Friday)," Joe Maddon said. "He had really good at-bats. He hit the line drive.

"He had the base hit to left, line drive to right. He swung the bat pretty good, I thought. But you're right, 'he go, we go.' I actually thought he looked really good.

"He was one of the guys who wasn't expanding his zone. I like where he's at right now.

"I love when he gets the base hit to left field hitting left-handed.

Well-earned recognition:

The Cubs did something near and dear to Joe Maddon's heart when they recognized their scouting and player-development people before Game 3 of the World Series.

"I absolutely loved that," he said. "They were crushing my hand. It was great because I've been that guy. That's how I started and I still view myself as that guy. That's who I am. I'm scouting and development.

"When they come by and they're so jacked up and when you sign a guy who makes it to the big leagues and gets on this stage, that is like being a dad. That is like that proud-father moment."

Serious fun:

Joe Maddon likened traffic on Clark Street Friday to a video game. It was even more interesting Saturday, even early in the afternoon before a 7 p.m. start.

"Listen, I thought it was crazier coming today than it was yesterday. It's Saturday, too. So I'm driving down and I had to really alter my route to get here on time."