It's afternoon here on the west coast as we get ready for game 5 of the NLCS against the Dodgers and I'm only focused on one thing: tonight.

Having the day off yesterday was a good break for us, but as we were on the field practicing, I promise you we all wished we were playing the game then and there so we can close it out. Monday's win was a roller coaster of emotions, but as soon as it was over, we looked forward to this one.

It's crazy how the entire series can change with one or two swings. We're down late in the game, looking at a tied series, but then it all changes. As players, you try as much as possible to keep things on an even keel and not get wrapped up in the emotions of the game. Of course, there are moments in the games when you have to crank it up a little bit higher or lower, but I try to stay as calm as possible because you never know what can happen in a game. That's why you play all nine innings.

They say the last game is the hardest to win. For us tonight, it's just baseball. We need to go out there and go have a good pitching performance from Cole, play good defense, play good offense, keep our eye on the ball and try and score some runs.

This is all new to me, though. Not baseball, but playing for a championship. It means a lot. We know we're close, but as a team, we don't really talk about it that much. Everybody knows what the goal is. And right now, the hard part is just getting there.

But if you asked me if I feel more pressure now, one game away from the World Series, I'd have to say no, not really. I'm enjoying the moment and having fun.

See you all tonight on your television screens.