NEW YORK -- Besides perhaps dealing with the cold weather expected for Games 1 and 2 of the National League Championship Series, Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez is treating things pretty normal as he takes over for the injured Addison Russell. If Baez has any nerves, he’s not showing them. Well, maybe a little.

“With all the fans and the noise, you do get nervous,” Baez said during a workout at Citi Field on Friday. “You have to learn how to slow it down and play the game through the nine innings.”

That sounds like a much more mature player than the one who broke into the big leagues last season while swinging at everything. "Swinging" is putting it mildly. Baez nearly struck out 100 times both in the minors and majors in 2014, then got cut from the team at the end of spring training this season. He changed his approach at the plate, leading to his successful return to the Cubs about six weeks ago. He hit a respectable .289 in 76 at-bats and looked like a different player -- one who’s blossomed, just as Russell has over time.

“I want to believe Javy is arriving at the same point,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

Baez burst onto the playoff scene Tuesday with a three-run home run to help the Cubs eliminate the St. Louis Cardinals. He played well at shortstop that day after making a lazy error in Game 3 after Russell left with an injury.

“The big thing with him is the consistency on defense,” Maddon said of Baez.

Baez has played short his whole life, but as a major leaguer he’s seen more time at second and third base while mostly coming off the bench since being recalled on Sept. 1. Now he has been thrust into a starting role with Russell declared out of the NLCS against the New York Mets due to a hamstring ailment.

“It feels normal to play shortstop,” Baez said. “I’ve been taking ground balls there the whole year. I’ve been playing shortstop. It doesn’t feel any different.”

Maddon has always believed in Baez on defense and pushed for him to make the team out of spring training. Instead, Baez went down to the minors while dealing with adversity in the form of a death in the family and then an injury. He rebounded from his tough first half and returned with a new approach and renewed confidence. Now he’s the starter on a team vying for the World Series. He hit well down the stretch in the regular season before hitting his big home run this week.

“I’m seeing the ball great right now,” Baez said. “My approach is great. I’ve been working with the hitting coach. Everything is great for me.”