Cubs-Indians Tale Of The Tape: Who Has Edge In World Series Showdown?

The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians will meet in the 2016 World Series, which has the potential to be an all-time classic.

These are two well-managed teams that have produced timely hitting and quality pitching throughout the postseason.

Both also beat quality opponents to reach this stage. Cleveland swept the Boston Red Sox and dispatched of the Toronto Blue Jays in five games. Chicago eliminated the San Francisco Giants in four games and eliminated the Los Angeles Dodgers in six.

So, will the Cubs end a 108-year title drought, or will the Indians end their own run of misery and win their first championship since 1948?

Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of Cubs-Indians.

STARTING ROTATION (PROJECTED)
Game 1 at Cleveland: Jon Lester, LHP vs. Corey Kluber, RHP
Game 2 at Cleveland: Jake Arrieta, RHP vs. Trevor Bauer, RHP
Game 3 at Chicago: Kyle Hendricks, RHP vs. Josh Tomlin, RHP
Game 4 at Chicago: John Lackey, RHP, vs. Kluber
Game 5 at Chicago (if necessary): Lester vs Bauer
Game 6 at Cleveland (if necessary): Arrieta vs. TBD
Game 7 at Cleveland (if necessary): Kyle Hendricks vs. TBD

Cleveland might not have the star power in its rotation that the Cubs possess, but the numbers don’t lie. The Indians’ starters have a 1.86 ERA, the best of any team that made the Division Series or further. They also lead in shutouts (three) and have allowed just eight earned runs in eight games. That’s quite impressive.

Advantage: Indians

BULLPEN
Cubs projected: Aroldis Chapman, Carl Edwards, Justin Grimm, Mike Montgomery, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Travis Wood, Rob Zastryzny
Indians projected bullpen: Cody Allen, Andrew Miller, Bryan Shaw, Dan Otero, Zach McAllister, Kyle Crockett, Jeff Manship, Cody Anderson

The Indians’ bullpen ERA of 1.67 is less than half of the Cubs’ bullpen ERA. Cleveland reliever Andrew Miller has been the most dominant player in the postseason, and he earned ALCS MVP honors because of it. Cleveland’s ‘pen also has 41 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings. Chicago’s bullpen has given up eight more earned runs in just 3 1/3 more innings.

The Indians ‘pen will face its toughest test of the playoffs against a powerful Cubs lineup, but there’s reason to be hopeful it will put up a good fight.

Advantage: Indians

OFFENSE
Cubs projected starting lineup: CF Dexter Fowler, 3B Kris Bryant, LF Ben Zobrist, 1B Anthony Rizzo, 2B Javier Baez, RF Jorge Soler, SS Addison Russell, C Miguel Montero
Key bench players: Wilson Contreras, David Ross, Chris Coghlan
Indians’ projected starting lineup: DH Carlos Santana, 2B Jason Kipnis, SS Francisco Lindor, DH Mike Napoli, 3B Jose Ramirez, RF Lonnie Chisenhall, LF Rajai Davis, CF Tyler Naquin, C Roberto Perez
Key bench players: Yan Gomes, Juan Uribe, Brandon Guyer, Coco Crisp

The Cubs’ offense is much better than the Indians’. In just two more postseason games played, Chicago has scored 21 more runs, accumulated 42 more bases, 25 more hits, 12 more doubles, along with a higher batting average and on-base percentage than Cleveland. There are very few holes in the Cubs lineup, and adding a designated hitter to the group in Cleveland should make it even more potent.

Advantage: Cubs

DEFENSE/INTANGIBLES
The Indians have a .990 fielding percentage with just one error in eight postseason games, while the Cubs have a .980 fielding percentage with eight errors through 10 games. Cleveland has a better and more consistent defense.

On the basepaths, these teams have fared similarly in the postseason with three stolen bases apiece. Cleveland has been caught stealing twice, while Chicago is 3 for 3.

Experience plays a factor as well. Cleveland has a young roster, but veterans Mike Napoli and Coco Crisp both have World Series-winning experience, and manager Terry Francona has never lost a World Series game (8-0 with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and 2007).

The Cubs have a young roster, too, but their roster features more players with World Series experience. Jon Lester, John Lackey and David Ross all have World Series rings from the 2013 Red Sox team, and Ben Zobrist played on the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays team that lost to the Philadelphia Phillies. Cubs manager Joe Maddon managed that 2008 Rays squad.
Advantage: Cubs (slightly)