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Chicago Cubs: Who will Kyle Schwarber replace on World Series roster?

By Joshua Mayer

Apr 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) is introduced prior to a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) is introduced prior to a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Justin Grimm (52) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning of game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Justin Grimm (52) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning of game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Reliever: Rob Zastryznzy or Justin Grimm

We start with the most obvious, as the lefty proved to be replaceable with zero appearances in the Championship Series.

At the same time, Zastryzny was very effective in his handful of appearances in the regular season, pitching 16 innings of 1.13 ERA ball. His combination of proven effectiveness, and unique anonymity, as none of the Indians players has ever faced him in the MLB, make him an intriguing option for the roster.

Fellow lefty Mike Montgomery is often used for long situations, and star closer Aroldis Chapman usually only throws in the 8th or 9th inning. That leaves Travis Wood as the only lefty out of the pen that would likely be used in a specialist situation. Depending on how much the Cubs decision makers value these specialty situations, Zastryzny could be put on the roster.

What the team will look at is how Indians starters fare against left handed pitching. Looking at the results, the outlook is not promising to the Cubs’ rookie lefty.

Indians LHB OPS LHP 2016 OPS RHP 2016 OPS (L) Career OPS (R) Career
Jason Kipnis .790 .822 .688 .811
Lonnie Chisenhall .642 .784 .657 .740
Tyler Naquin .775 .898 Rookie Rookie

Kipnis is the only everyday starter out of the group, and his splits this year are minimal. His career, however, tells another story. He did benefit from a .354 BABIP against lefties in 2016, compared to a .313 career mark, perhaps signaling he was the beneficiary of some luck this year against same handed pitching.

Chisenhall and Naquin also have noticeable differences between their hitting against righties and southpaws, but the splits are far from crazy. Even if they were, Terry Francona has shown that he will use Rajai Davis (.780 career OPS vs. LHP) against righties even if he has to replace Chisenhall or Naquin.

Chances of Zastryzny being replaced: 75%

Justin Grimm is another possible option for a replacement, but he will most likely be kept after a hot second half. After appearing only once in the CS, in a 6-0 Dodgers blowout, it seems Grimm is not trusted to pitch late in games. At the same time, the righty had a stellar 2.08 ERA in his final 33 regular season relief appearances, making his spot on the roster virtually a lock.

Chances of Grimm being replaced: 1.5%

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