The NLCS comes down to two teams that built their core two different ways.
The Mets have drafted and developed pitchers as a priority.
The Cubs have drafted and developed hitters as a priority.
The Mets used free agency and trades to acquire bats to compliment their young pitching staff.
The Cubs used free agency and trades to acquire arms to compliment their young hitters.
It now seems that both philosophies have merit.
If one looks at the Mets young core of pitchers, we find:
DeGrom 4.7 WAR, 14-8, 2.59 ERA, 0.970 WHIP
Syndergaard 2.1 WAR, 9-7, 3.24 ERA, 1.047 WHIP
Matz (only 6 GP) 1.2 WAR, 4-0, 2.27 ERA, 1.234 WHIP
Harvey 5.2 WAR, 13-8, 2.71 ERA, 1.019 WHIP
These four young starters combined for a collective 13.2 WAR and 30 wins of the team's 90 (33.3%).
If one looks at the Cubs young core of hitters, we find:
Bryant 5.9 WAR, .275 BA, 26 HR, 99 RBI
Russell 3.3 WAR, .242 BA, 13 HR, 54 RBI
Schwarber 1.7 WAR, .246 BA, 16 HR, 43 RBI
Rizzo 6.2 WAR, .278 BA, 31 HR, 101 RBI
These four young hitters combined for a collective 17.1 WAR and 302 RBI of the team's 657 (49.6%).
As you can tell, these eight players are the keys to the NLCS. One team will (for at least this season) validate their rebuild plan with a trip to the World Series.
