Chicago will be without starting shortstop Addison Russell in the NLCS due to the hamstring injury he suffered running out a triple in the NLDS.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon indicated that he’d expect Russell to be available if they got to the World Series, but in the meantime Javier Baez figures to be the primary shortstop in his absence.
Baez hit a key three-run homer in Game 4 against the Cardinals and has exceptional raw power, smacking 36 homers in 174 total games at Triple-A. He also strikes out a ton and figures to be a defensive downgrade from the fantastic Russell, although how much of a downgrade is up for debate.
Starlin Castro, who was the Cubs’ starting shortstop from 2010 through the middle of this season when he was replaced by Russell, will not change positions again and will instead remain at second base.
