NOTEBOOK From Wrigley Field

Baker's message: Dusty Baker was cool and calm during some down time before Game 6 of the NLCS, showing up for a press briefing in a stylish ball cap and colorful yellow shirt. "There's nothing to be uptight about," Baker said Monday. "When you're off, you got to be off. That's the way you recharge your energy level, recharge your cycle by being relaxed." Most of the Cubs and Marlins players took Monday off, as well. Florida's Game 5 winner Josh Beckett jogged around Wrigley Field, Marlins' left-hander Mark Redman threw on the side for a potential Game 7 start and Chicago's Game 6 starter Mark Prior also did some tossing. "Mark always throws the day before. That's part of his routine," Baker said of Prior. Baker's advice to most of his players was to take it easy and not get hurt with any off-field activities. "We all think our guys need a day off more than they need to practice," Baker said. "I told everybody to eat three square meals, and have a glass of wine, get your rest and do what you normally do and come back ready."
Brimming with confidence: Josh Beckett, who pitched a two-hit shutout Sunday to win Game 5 and cut the Cubs' lead to 3-2, predicted the series will go the distance. "There's still going to be a Game 6 -- and a Game 7," Beckett said Sunday after overpowering the Cubs. "Our guys realize that we're the underdogs, we're not supposed to be here," Florida manager Jack McKeon said Monday. "And they are full of confidence. I know they'd be very happy to get to Game 7." Instead of Brad Penny, McKeon decided to start Carl Pavano in Game 6. Pavano is 0-1 against the Cubs this season and 1-3 lifetime, including 0-2 at Wrigley Field.
Ancient history: This isn't the first time the Cubs have been one win shy of advancing to the World Series for the first time since 1945. In 1984, when the NL championship series was best-of-5, the Cubs won their first two games against the San Diego Padres. The series then shifted to San Diego, where the Padres won three in a row to clinch the NL pennant. Cubs hitting coach Gary Matthews was part of that 1984 squad, but he has no plans to give these Cubs any history lessons. "Why?" Matthews said. "It's well-documented. They lost in '89, as well. As a staff and a team, we're not dwelling in the past. We're only looking to the future. We're not hanging our heads now because we ended up losing [Game 5 Sunday]," Matthews said. "We relish the opportunity to get back to the Friendly Confines."
-- Associated Press