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Chicago Cubs World Series: How they match up with the Cleveland Indians

By Carlos Nazario

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts (left) hands the National League Championship Trophy to President of Baseball operations Theo Epstein after 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 owner Tom Ricketts (left) hands the National League Championship Trophy to President of Baseball operations Theo Epstein after 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 /
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Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Outfield

At left field, the Chicago Cubs have Ben Zobrist. He spent the regular season playing second base, but with the success Baez is having, Zobrist will stay in the outfield.

Zobrist does not mind playing there, as he can play just about any position on the field, giving manager Joe Maddon an incredibly versatile roster. Zobrist hits cleanup in the lineup, but isn’t your typical cleanup hitter. He does not have a lot of power, but he has a great eye, and he gets on base to keep the offense going.

The Indians have Rajai Davis and Coco Crisp. Davis hit 12 homers and scored 74 runs.  He also led the American League in steals with 43. In the postseason, he has yet to get a hit in 12 at-bats.

Crisp was acquired just before the deadline to be eligible for the playoff roster. He is a switch hitter who has two homers in the playoffs.

Advantage: Cubs

At center field, the Cubs have Dexter Fowler. While Rizzo is the leader of the team and a key cog, Fowler is the motor that keeps the Chicago Cubs offense running smoothly. When he is on, the Cubs are nearly unbeatable.

While Rizzo is the leader of the team and a key cog, Fowler is the motor that keeps the Chicago Cubs offense running smoothly. When he is on, the Cubs are nearly unbeatable.

I don’t know how this lineup would fare had he not re-signed late in the spring. When he went down with a hamstring injury, the Cubs went through their worst period of the season.

Fowler is hitting .262 with 8 runs scored in the playoffs. He has also made some incredible catches in the outfield.

The Indians have Tyler Naquin. Naquin will get a lot of votes for AL Rookie of the Year.

His OPS was .866 and he had 14 home runs. Naquin is hitting just .188 in the playoffs.

Advantage: Cubs

Jason Heyward is playing right field for the Cubs. He signed a mega contract in the offseason, but had a season to forget. He is one of the best defenders in baseball, however, so he is still contributing that way.

Heyward is hitting just .071 in the playoffs. Maddon benched him a couple of times in the playoffs, including the NLCS-clinching Game Six.

The Indians counter with Lonnie Chisenhall. Chisenhall hit .286 with eight homers and 57 RBI. In the playoffs, he is hitting .333, getting some key hits. If the Indians are to be successful, Chisenhall will need tp continue his hot hitting.

While Chisenhall has the offensive advantage, Heyward can still win games for the Cubs just with his glove.

Advantage: Even

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