Chicago Cubs: Position-by-position matchup versus the Indians

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) reacts after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Cubs win 5-0 to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) reacts after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Cubs win 5-0 to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
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They did! The Chicago Cubs are going to the World Series! The Cleveland Indians await them for Game 1 on Tuesday. How do the team’s matchup?

It is happening! The Chicago Cubs are in the 2016 World Series! For the first time in 71 seasons, the Cubs represent the National League in the Fall Classic. Just let that soak in.

The regular season is over. The National League playoffs are completed, and the team that proved to be the MLB’s best all season came out on top. Now, all that stands between them and their first championship in 108 years are the Cleveland Indians.

What are the odds? The two teams with the longest champion droughts in baseball are facing each other for a chance to break the streaks.

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Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and Indians Manager Terry Francona once colleagues with the Boston Red Sox and responsible for ending their World Series curse, will be on opposing sides. Does the script get any better?

Now is the time to see how the teams stack up. The Chicago Cubs completed the season with the best record in baseball, with the Indians nine games behind. We know the Cubs were the best pitching staff in the majors, with Cleveland having the seventh best ERA and were fifth in batting average against. However, in the postseason, the Indians are the best in both areas.

But, even with the struggles in the NLCS, the Cubs’ offense is the postseason’s best, scoring 48 runs on 21 doubles and 12 home runs. In comparison, the Indians only scored 27 runs, relying heavily on the 11 long balls hit. They also played two fewer games than the Cubs.

So, how do they matchup? Here is our position-by-position analysis.

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) reacts after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Cubs win 5-0 to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) reacts after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Cubs win 5-0 to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports /

Anthony Rizzo versus Mike Napoli

Which team’s first baseman hit more than 30 home runs? Knocked in more than 100 runs? Score more than 90 times? Walked more than 70 times?

The answer: Both teams. The offensive stats are almost even. Almost. The first basemen for both teams produce at a very high level. However, Rizzo holds a large advantage in batting splits (.292/.385/.544 compared to .239/.322/.471) and strikeouts (108 to 194).

We witnessed Rizzo’s struggles in the postseason; however, that changed dramatically thanks to Matt Szczur‘s bat. He finished the NLCS on a 7-for-14 streak with two home runs and five runs batted in. Napoli also struggled this postseason to the tune of hitting .179 with one home run and two knocked in.

It is a close battle, but one area pushes one player over the other. That is batting with men on base. Napoli only hit for a .253 average with men on, and a lower .237 with runners in scoring position. Rizzo was key all season batting .310 and .341 in those respective areas.

Advantage: Cubs

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez (9) throws to first base for a double play against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez (9) throws to first base for a double play against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Javier Baez versus Jason Kipnis

Which story do we follow here, the regular season or the postseason? Jason Kipnis is an All-Star in every sense of the word. He scores (91 runs), can hit for power (41 doubles and 23 home runs), and steals bases. Kipnis is crucial to the success of the Indian’s offense.

He is dangerous with men on base and when ahead in the count. But, when pitchers get ahead of him, he struggles. Like Napoli, Kipnis strikes out at a high rate.

With coming to the plate two-thirds of the time as Kipnis, Javier Baez compares well to his counterpart. Both can swipe as bases as needed, and both can hit home runs and doubles.

And both strike out. However, with starting at second base this postseason, Baez has flourished. Hitting .342, with seven runs batted in and scoring seven times, Baez earned NLCS co-MVP honors.

Additionally, with limited time at second base during the season, Baez still prevented identical number of runs from scoring than Kipnis. In the postseason, Baez’s defense saved games.

Advantage: Cubs (by a very slight margin)

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (27) reacts after hitting a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (27) reacts after hitting a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Addison Russell versus Francisco Lindor

Two young and impressive shortstops. Both produce offensively and defensively. Let us just look at stats.

Lindor: .301/.358/.435 split, 15 HR, 78 RBI, 19 stolen bases, 99 runs scored. +17 defensive runs saved

Russell: .238/.321/.417 split, 21 HR, 95 RBI, 5 stolen bases, 67 runs scored. +19 defensive runs saved.

You can make an argument for either player based on these numbers, however, the postseason is a different story.

Lindor leads the Cleveland offense charge this postseason, batting .323. Russell struggled. While both knocked in four, Russell scored six times compared to three for Lindor.

Advantage: Draw 

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) celebrates defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Cubs win 5-0 to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) celebrates defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Cubs win 5-0 to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Kris Bryant versus Jose Ramirez

Could there be two players more different than the third basemen for each team? Jose Ramirez hits for average, uses his speed to steal bases, scores runs. Kris Bryant gets hits, drives in runs, and scores.

Ramirez’s best weapon his is speed. Hitting .312 for the regular season, he legged out 46 doubles and swiped 22 bases, scoring 84 runs. While he does not strike out much, he is susceptible to grounding into double plays.

Bryant possesses a combination of getting on base and power. He led the majors with 121 runs scored, hit 39 home runs, and knocked in 102. While Ramirez produces better in his home park, most of Bryant’s offensive prowess was displayed on the road. With home field advantage laying with the Indians, Bryant’s ability to perform on the road is key.

Advantage: Cubs

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Ben Zobrist (18) hits an RBI sacrifice fly against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Ben Zobrist (18) hits an RBI sacrifice fly against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Ben Zobrist versus Coco Crisp

To be honest, this is a surprise matchup. Neither player started in left field in the regular season on a perpetual basis. However, both were tasked with that job this postseason.

Why? Because both players have extensive postseason experience, including a trip (or two) to the World Series. And, they each have one ring.

That is were the comparisons end.

The man with the best name in baseball, Coco Crisp, is a lifetime outfielder. After 15 MLB seasons, time has slowed him down. Once a stolen base leader, Crisp only swiped 10 bases this year and was caught five times. He hit .231 for the season and scored 54 runs.

Zobrist is only two years younger than Crisp, but his production has yet to slip. The 2016 All-Star batted with greater production this year that in years past. For the first time since 2011, Zobrist scored more than 90 runs and has more than 75 runs batted in.

This postseason, their run production are nearly identical.

Advantage: Cubs

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) scores against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) scores against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Dexter Fowler versus Tyler Naquin

The veteran versus the rookie. The All-Star versus the New Kid.

The strength of both Fowler and Naquin is their ability to get on base. Fowler is one of the best in the majors, ranking in the top 10 with a .393 on-base percentage. Had Naquin qualified, his .372 OBP would be close to the top 30.

Even so, Fowler’s base running ability allowed him to score 84 runs. And, his switch-hitting skill does not limit him to facing only right handed pitching.

The Cubs are loaded with left-handed pithcers. Naquin has only 40 plate appearances against lefty pitchers. Terry Francona could bring in Brandon Guyer in those situations. Even so, the Cubs pitchers have shown they can handle anything.

Advantage: Cubs

Oct 15, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward (22) reacts after hitting a triple against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of game one of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward (22) reacts after hitting a triple against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of game one of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports /

Jason Heyward versus Lonnie Chisenhall

Pick your poison. Do you like offense or defense, because that is the battle here. Maybe.

Offensively, the Indians hold the edge, or do they?

Chisenhall: .286/.328/.439 split, 43 runs scored, 25 doubles, 8 home runs, 57 runs batted in.

Heyward: .230/.306/.325 split, 61 runs scored, 27 doubles, 7 home runs, 49 runs batted in.

So, other than average, the numbers are very similar. At least during the regular season.

Defense? Not even close. Heyward’s 28 defensive runs saved overshadows Chisenhall’s four.

Tiebreaker: Team WAR for this position. (0.4 to -0.3)

Advantage: Cubs 

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Rotation versus Roberto Perez

The Cubs feature a three-headed monster at catcher, and all played value able roles this postseason. Combined, the combination for Willson Contreras, David Ross, and Miguel Montero hit three home runs and 10 runs batted in. Montero’s grand slam versus the Los Angeles Dodgers pushed the Cubs to a Game 1 NLCS win. Ross and Contreras can hold runners to bases and prevent steals.

Roberto Perez may have played in 61 games during the season, he started every game during the ALCS. He scored four runs so far this postseason, with a home run as well. But his production does not come close to that of the Cubs’ catchers.

Advantage: Cubs

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Cubs celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Cubs win 5-0 to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Cubs celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Cubs win 5-0 to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Conclusion

I know. This is a site dedicated to the Chicago Cubs, and thus, there may be an inherent bias towards our team. Noted. But comparing the stats, is easy to establish which team has an advantage over the other. But, just to further my point, here are the positional WAR stats for each team from Baseball-Reference.com. The number in bold is the higher of the two.

Next: Maddon leads Cubs' to World Series

Indians: First (-0.7), Second (1.7), Third (-0.3), Short (3.3), Left (0.1), Center (-1.0), Right (-0.3), Catcher (-2.9)

Cubs: Frist (4.1), Second (2.1), Third (3.7), Short (2.7), Left (2.0), Center (0.4), Right (0.4), Catcher (0.2) 

There you have it. But, these are just numbers. The World Series is decided on the field.

This is going to be fun!

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