What can the 2017 Atlanta Braves learn from the 2016 Chicago Cubs?
By Ryan Cothran
Comparing Cubs Regulars to Braves Regulars (OPS):
In this exercise, I’m removing catchers as both teams used soft-platoons, therefore catchers stats will go under a separate category.
1st Base: Anthony Rizzo, .928 OPS vs. Freddie Freeman, .968 OPS
2nd Base: Javier Baez, .739 OPS vs. Jace Peterson, .715 OPS
3rd Base: Kris Bryant, .939 OPS vs. Adonis Garcia, .717 OPS
Shortstop: Addison Russell, .738 OPS vs. Dansby Swanson, .808 OPS
LF: Ben Zobrist, .831 OPS vs. Matt Kemp, .855 OPS
CF: Dexter Fowler, .840 OPS vs. Ender Inciarte, .732 OPS
RF: Jason Heyward, .631 OPS vs. Nick Markakis, .744 OPS
Total – Cubs .806 OPS vs. Braves .791 OPS
In my opinion, this is a real eye-opener as there’s only a .015 point difference in OPS when comparing the 2 teams.
Granted this includes a black-hole of Jason Heyward’s .631 OPS that’s likely going to be replaced in some fashion by either a more productive Jason Heyward or an outfield shift that includes Kyle Schwarber in LF, but it’s still promising.
However, notice the glaring difference is the production at 3rd base. There’s no way the Braves can fill 3B by adding a player that’s comparable to Kris Bryant, but there are options to explore that are better than our current Adonis Garcia.
Now, let’s compare the benches of these 2 teams.