Head-2-Head: 2021 Sox/Cubs Edition

There are few rivalries in all of sports that capture the passion and intensity that the White Sox and Cubs contests provide each year: Duke and North Carolina in college hoops, Ohio State and Michigan in college football, the Lakers and Celtics in the NBA, and the Steelers and Browns in the NFL are really the only rivalries that even come close.

With the White Sox on the upswing and the Cubs stuck somewhere between a post-World Series fizzle and a total rebuild, we figured it was important to go position-by-position and see how the 2021 squads stack up against each other.

After hours (maybe days) of analyzing numbers, we have come to our conclusions. Please enjoy our completely unbiased player comparison of this year’s Chicago clubs.

Catcher

Yasmani Grandal vs. Wilson Contreras

Grandal is one of the most dangerous catchers in the game. Not only is he an expert pitch framer, but he can be lethal from both sides of the plate.

Meanwhile, Contreras is also a catcher.

Advantage: White Sox

First Base

José Abreu vs. Anthony Rizzo

Few hitters across the league are feared as much as the reigning AL MVP. Not only is he a proven slugger, but his defense drastically improved last season and we expect that growth to continue. He’s also a born leader and the right person to lead the young Sox club to the World Series.

On the North Side, we have Rizzo, who seems like a really nice guy when he’s not illegally sliding into catchers at home plate.

Advantage: White Sox

Second Base

Nick Madrigal vs. Ildemaro Vargas

The Sox bring a potential batting title to the second base position with Madrigal. He is the first player in ages who is a legitimate threat to hit .400. He needs to get better in the field, but we are certain that performance will improve.

Vargas is someone we had to Google.

Advantage: White Sox

Shortstop

Tim Anderson vs. Javy Báez

Anderson is the most electric player in baseball. Not only has he drastically improved over the last few season to reach elite status, but also brings a fire to the dugout that will be crucial for a championship run.

Báez was good a couple of years ago.

Advantage: White Sox

Third Base

Yoán Moncada vs. Kris Bryant

Moncada is an absolute beast. Not only has he become a reliable third baseman, but he is capable of sending a pitch to Mars from both sides of the plate. His 2020 campaign was slowed by Covid-19, but we expect this year to be known as “Yoán-21”.

Bryant was pretty decent until he started getting “edgy” haircuts.

Advantage: White Sox

Left Field

Eloy Jiménez vs. Joc Pederson

There are a lot of reason to believe Eloy could lead the bigs in home runs next year. The guy can flat out crush the ball. While his defense needs some work, we are certain he will make up for the errors with 500-foot blasts.

Pederson played for the Dodgers last year, and they were good.

Advantage: White Sox

Center Field

Luis Robert vs. Ian Happ

Robert is quite possibly going to become the best player in baseball over the next couple of years. He is already an elite fielder and his offensive numbers are only likely to skyrocket. Few players live up to the hype like Robert and we can’t wait to see what he does next.

Happ was born in Pittsburgh.

Advantage: White Sox

Right Field

Adam Eaton vs. Jason Heyward

Eaton makes a triumphant return to the White Sox after bringing home a ring for the Nationals. He’s the best ... well ... he’s better than ... um ... I can’t do this. Heyward is so much better. It’s not even close. But, we’ve come this far, so ...

Advantage: White Sox

#1 Starting Pitcher

Dylan Cease vs. Kyle Hendricks

Chutout Cease (pronounced sh-ut-out) is the leading Cy Young candidate in the American League. Reports out of spring training are that this guy is filthy and makes 2020 Lucas Giolito look like 2018 Lucas Giolito.

Hendricks went to Dartmouth, so he is probably good at math or something.

Advantage: White Sox

Bullpen

We don’t even need to go here.

Advantage: White Sox

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The numbers don’t lie, and after months of unbiased research and dedication we feel strongly that the 2021 White Sox are the best all-around baseball team that the Windy City has to offer.

Let us know what you think by voting in the poll below!