For Cubs, Sox stars, it’s time to go to bWAR

Ayear ago, the all- Chicago team of position players was dominated by Cubs, augmented by the Sox’ Adam Eaton, who is now with the Nationals.

But first- half struggles have left the Cubs represented only by relieverWade Davis in the All- Star Game, while the White Sox have Chicago’s only non- pitching AllStar in Avisail Garcia.

So what if you had to pick an all- Chicago team, based only on first- half numbers? Let’s do it by bWAR for the positions where fans choose All- Stars.

Outfield

The only two outfielders at 2.0 bWAR or better at Baseball- Reference. com areWhite Sox Garcias — Avisail at 2.6 and Leury at 2.0. They’re both in.

The third outfield spot is more of a problem. The best offensive player has been Cubs rookie Ian Happ, with 13 home runs and an .870 OPS that outweighs 10 homers and a .748 OPS by the Sox’ Melky Cabrera despite Cabrera’s .287-. 257 edge in batting average.

The Cubs’ Jason Heyward lags behind with six home runs and a .698 OPS, but Heyward is a plus defender with 12 runs saved to - 5 for Cabrera and 1 for Happ, including - 1 in the outfield.

The bottom line is a 1.5 bWAR for Heyward, 1.2 for Happ and 0.2 for Cabrera.

First base

This is a strong position with the Sox’ Jose Abreu hitting .299 with an .871 OPS and 16 homers. The Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo has a lower BA at .259, but with 54 walks to Abreu’s 22, Rizzo has a .386-. 349 on- base percentage lead. Rizzo also leads with 20 homers and an .894 OPS.

Rizzo takes the position with a 2.9 bWAR to Abreu’s 2.0.

Second base

The Sox’ Yolmer Sanchez has been an average hitter with a .265 BA and .726 OPS. The Cubs’ Javy Baez, with a .257 BA, has a higher OPS at .745, but league and park adjustments leave him with a 93 OPS+, slightly lower than Sanchez’s 96.

Sanchez takes the spot with a 1.5- 1.0 bWAR edge.

Shortstop

The Cubs’ Addison Russell has had a disappointing half with a .226 BA and .678 OPS, but the Sox’ Tim Anderson has an even lower .632 OPS with a .240 BA.

Russell leadsMLB shortstops with 13 runs saved and that boosts him to a 1.8 bWAR to Anderson’s 0.

Third base

The Cubs’ Kris Bryant ranks 23rd in MLB with a .928 OPS to go with 20 homers. Matt Davidson leads the Sox with 18 homers, but his OPS is lower at .799.

Bryant’s overall offensive game gives him a big bWAR lead, 3.0- 0.1.

Catcher

The Cubs’Willson Contreras (. 782 OPS, 11 home runs, 0.9 defensiveWAR) has been a much bigger contributor than the Sox’ Omar Narvaez (. 624, 0, 0.4) and Kevan Smith (. 681, 1, 0.2).

That makes Contreras the easy winner with a 2.1 bWAR to 0.4 for Narvaez and - 0.1 for Smith.

Designated hitter

Let’s use Abreu here as the best hitter on either team not to start in the field.