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

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)

Javier Baez versus Jason Kipnis

Schedule