Pittsburgh Pirates v. Chicago Cubs – The Infielders

Sep 23, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Aramis Ramirez (17) is interviewed following the win over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Pirates defeated the Rockies 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

As part of our Pittsburgh Pirates/Chicago Cubs National League wild-card coverage, Rumbunter will be matching up the clubs position-by-position. In this edition we take a look at the infielders. Take a look at our breakdown of the outfielders match-up here. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs are two seemingly similar teams that are actually built very differently. While the Pirates boast an incredible outfield, the Cubs find themselves with a glut of talent inside the diamond. Despite rotating some players in and out up the middle, the Cubs have relied on excellent talents at the corners in Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. They have a solid backstop in Miguel Montero who provides a little pop, and round it out with a couple of young talents who have shown strong flashes of ability this season.

Before we go position-by-position, let’s match up the regular infielders for both teams at this present time.

First, the Cubs:

Here are the Pirates infielders:

On paper, the Cubs would appear to have the advantage. As stated above, their mashers reside at these positions.

Of course, nothing is decided on paper. Let’s go in depth now at each position and compare.

Next: The Corners

Sep 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) hits a two run home run in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Third base: Kris Bryant vs. Aramis Ramirez

Perhaps the Chicago Cubs knew all along that Kris Bryant was ready for the major leagues before spring training even started. Ok, ‘perhaps’ is a bit of an understatement. They knew. Hell, everyone knew. But, service time rang its ugly head causing Bryan to miss the first couple of weeks of the 2015 season.

It’s only fitting that we start our analysis with Bryant. His addition to the Cubs roster has been transformative. His addition instantly gave the Cubs two power threats instead of relying on Anthony Rizzo to do all the heavy lifting. Bryant is the likely NL rookie of the year, and rightfully so. There is a weakness in his game, and it comes via the strikeout. With a 35.6% k-rate on the year, Bryant can be fooled at times. With Gerrit Cole utilizing a very deceptive slider, Bryant may struggle to put bat on ball in this contest. When he does put bat to ball, Bryant has been aided by a very-high .BABIP (batting average on balls in play) of .379 throughout 2015. This suggests a bit of luck, and it makes one wonder what his slashline would look like without this working in his favor.

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Aramis Ramirez – aka The One That Got Away but came back – is the polar opposite of Bryant in many ways. First, let’s assume that Hurdle will give Ramirez the call here. Ramriez has a full 14 years on Bryant, but with that age comes experience in the form of a 14.3% strikeout rate in 2015. Ramirez has been slumping lately, but with a .250 BABIP, that would have likely ended with a few more swings. He still ended September with a .482 slugging percentage, showing that he can still be relied upon as a run producer. I expect Ramirez to be energized by postseason play and provide a steady glove as well.

Verdict: Ramirez. Surprised? I was too until I realized that Ramirez’s experience plays a big factor here. Bryant may come out tight, giving Ramirez a slight edge. With runs presumably being scarce for both teams, this negates Bryant’s thump somewhat. The high strikeout rate of Bryant coupled with the big stage gives Rammer the edge.

Edit: Since the time of this writing, comments by Hurdle regarding Josh Harrison make it seem as if he is going to play. It’s hard to argue that he should. But should he play in the infield? It all depends on Ramirez’s groin. By all accounts he is healthy enough to play, but can he play effectively? Should Harrison play at third I would give the edge to Bryant, but as it stand right now, let’s give Ramirez the benefit of the doubt.

Oct 4, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli (29) gets first baseman Pedro Alvarez (24) after Alvarez hit a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

First base: Anthony Rizzo vs Pedro Alvarez.

This one should be easier. First, let’s make no qualms about it. Alvarez will start this game at first base. He will not finish it, but he will start it. He will be given every opportunity to do that which he is to do: See Ball, Hit Ball.

Rizzo also sees the ball well. And we know he hits it well. Rizzo has a very good k-rate of 14.9%, and has a better slash against left-handed pitching. This limits any edge normally enjoyed when Tony Watson or Antonio Bastardo come in for relief. The Pirates may be catching Rizzo at the right time, as he is batting just .182 over his last 14 days (granted, .280 over his last seven). Rizzo is a beast, plain and simple.

Alvarez quietly put together a solid season at the plate. Snakebitten by solo home runs, Alvarez still had 27 ElToro Bombs on the year. I lead with that stat because this is what Pedro is there to do. All other batting lines and stats seem irrelevant. As with the rest of the Pirates lineup, it would be great for the Bucs if Alvarez can force Jake Arrieta to work towards the bottom of the order and drive the pitch count up. Pedro may be primed to do just that – having lowered his strikeout rate by 6% over the past month.

Pedro’s defense is what it is, but even before taking that into consideration he lost this matchup by virtue of Rizzo being a more complete hitter. If the Pirates can limit Bryant’s production in front of the first baseman, Rizzo’s output may be less damaging.

Verdict: Rizzo

Next, let’s take a look up the middle. Things are about to get really interesting.

Next: Up the middles

Oct 4, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli (29) doubles against the Cincinnati Reds during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher: Francisco Cervelli vs. Miguel Montero

Montero is a grizzled 32-years old veteran catcher. After missing some time due to a thumb injury, Montero found himself appearing in 113 games this year and was adequate at the plate, with run production numbers that were pretty much in line with his career arc to this point. Defensively, it is very clear that his best days are behind him. Opposing baserunners took 71 bags against him this year, the highest total in his career despite playing in only 113 games. Sporting a 20% caught stealing rate, it’s easy to see why. Montero’s dwindling offense is still viable, with a .754 OPS, and that fact alone may keep in the lineup over Kyle Schwarber, who was called up as his replacement. Schwarber has great multipositional flexibility, so it may behoove Joe Maddon to keep Kyle in the field for double switching purposes later in the game. The onus to control the Pirates’ running game falls squarely on Montero’s shoulders.

Francisco Cervelli has been just as-advertised when he was brought in as Russell Martin‘s replacement. Quickly taking a position as team leader, Cervelli did not provide the pop that Martin would provide in Toronto, but he is a solid contact hitter that can be penciled in anywhere in the mid-to-lower third of the order. Leading the Pirates in batting average at .295,  Cervelli will need to show that he can work a count against Arrieta. I am confident that he will, as his 9.4% walk rate suggests. Cervelli struggled in catching base runners as well (22%), but part of this has to be chalked up to the Pirates pitchers being slow to the plate. Cole was never a big culprit in that fact, so I suspect this will be a non-factor.

Verdict: Cervelli. By a nose, Cervelli gets the edge here by being a better overall hitter with far-superior walk and strikeout rates.

Final Verdict: To me, Rizzo’s presence gives the Cubs a slight edge at the infield positions. Rizzo is an absolute thumper who is finally growing into his long-displayed power. He is as close to a complete major league hitter as you will find in the current era.

The good news: with the Pirates enjoying an edge defensively up the middle, the game may not be won off of Rizzo’s bat but perhaps by a sparkling defensive play or a costly mistake. Behind the plate, Cervelli will continue to do what Cervelli has done all year: provide a spark while also executing the Pirates’ advanced scouting plan.

If the Pittsburgh Pirates can limit Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, they stand an excellent chance at winning this game, despite anything Arrieta might bring to the table.

Please check out our previous matchup analysis – The Outfielders – by clicking the link below

Next: Pirates vs. Cubs - The Outfielders