After examining how pitching staffs compare, it’s now time to shift the focus to position players the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers included on their respective National League Championship Series rosters.
The Cubs ranked fourth in MLB after scoring 822 runs, though that was thanks, in part, to Wrigley Field being hitter-friendly. Their collective 101 wRC+ rated eighth, while the Dodgers were fourth at 104.
On defense, the Cubs ranked fifth in the Majors with a +30 Defensive Runs Saved, while the Dodgers ranked second at +48. Now let’s go position by position.
Willson Contreras placed fifth among all catchers with a 3.2 WAR (FanGraphs). His 121 wRC+ was eighth-best for players at his position with at least 200 plate appearances. Contreras threw out 28 percent of attempted base stealers, but ranked near the bottom of the league in framing.
Chicago also acquired Alex Avila from the Detroit Tigers this season, and though he hit very well with Detroit, has been mediocre with the Cubs. Assuming Austin Barnes gets more starts, the Dodgers are likely better positioned in terms of production and depth.
Advantage: Dodgers
Anthony Rizzo has established himself as one of the game’s top first basemen over the past few years and produced a 4.0 WAR this season. His wRC+ dipped a bit this season but was still strong at 133. He’s a very good defender but a slow runner.
Cody Bellinger slightly outperformed Rizzo this season offensively and had a similar WAR despite playing in 25 fewer games. However, this one is too close to call.
Advantage: Push
Javier Baez is one of the most exciting players in the league. Whether it’s his massive swings (that led to a career-high 23 homers this season) or his slick-fielding, something special can happen any time the ball comes his way.
Ben Zobrist gives the Cubs another starting option. Logan Forsythe is short of Baez on both sides of the ball, and Chase Utley has been solid but unspectacular.
Advantage: Cubs
Shortstop would have been an easy advantage for the Dodgers, but Corey Seager was left off the NLCS roster due to a back strain and it’s unlikely that he’ll be able to return before the World Series.
Still, the Dodgers have options at shortstop in Charlie Culberson, Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor. Addison Russell is an excellent defender but still hasn’t hit much. Give the Dodgers a slight edge.
Advantage: Dodgers
The hot corner is evenly matched, as Kris Bryant is a previous Rookie of the Year and MVP winner who posted a 6.7 WAR in 2017. However, Justin Turner’s wRC+ was slightly higher and he’s a much better defender. It’s close, but Turner gets the slightest of nods here.
Advantage: Dodgers
Each team has used multiple left fielders this season, though the Dodgers have settled on a platoon of Hernandez and Curtis Granderson.
Granderson has struggled with the Dodgers but Hernandez has hit lefties very well. The Cubs figure to use some combination of Jon Jay, Kyle Schwarber and Zobrist in left field.
Zobrist spent most of the year at second base but played left in all five of the Cubs’ NL Division Series games. Schwarber got a start in left in Game 3 but misplayed a flyball.
Advantage: Push
Center field figures to be another platoon. Jay and Albert Almora Jr. will likely split time there, with Almora getting starts against lefties. He posted a 137 wRC+ against southpaws this season.
The Dodgers included Joc Pederson on the roster, presumably to start against righties, which would allow Taylor to start at shortstop. Which Pederson the Dodgers get is completely up in the air.
If Los Angeles wants to get creative, they could play Cody Bellinger in center and either Utley or even Kyle Farmer at first base, depending on the matchups. With Almora and Pederson likely getting the lion’s share of playing time, Cubs takes this one.
Advantage: Cubs
Right field is a little more clear. Yasiel Puig will get the start for the Dodgers. The Cubs will counter with some combination of Jason Heyward and Zobrist.
Heyward continues to be one of the most elite defenders in baseball, but Zobrist really struggled there this year and hasn’t gotten consistent playing time in right field since 2012. Puig was a revelation defensively and posted his best offensive season since 2014.
Advantage: Dodgers
The benches are deep, with both teams carrying six backups. The Dodgers will again use three catchers, as well as Utley, Culberson, Hernandez and Andre Ethier.
For Chicago, Avila will back up Contreras, the aforementioned Schwarber and Almora figure to get playing time in the outfield, with Tommy La Stella providing an additional lefty bat off the bench, Ian Happ providing a switch-hitting utility option and Leonys Martin as the final outfielder.
Barnes and Almora should each feature prominently in this series, but there’s always room for unexpected heroics a la Schwarber last year.
Advantage: Push
The Cubs will count on Bryant, Rizzo and Contreras to carry them back to the promised land, while the Dodgers hope Turner, Taylor and Bellinger can pick up the slack. It’ll likely come down to someone completely unexpected playing out of his mind for a handful of games. Who will answer the call in Seager’s absence?
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