Ostrowski: As October nears, just how much do the Cubs value defense?

How much do the Cubs value defense in October?

A lot can happen in five weeks of baseball, but I asked Theo Epstein about their strategy as the games become more crucial in a 670 The Score interview on The Mully and Hanley Show.

Epstein said, "You can look at last year's postseason and a lot of the decisions we made you maybe slightly tilt that balance a little bit more heavily in favor of defense. It becomes increasingly important as you get deeper in the season, but not everything."

Alright. Let's take a look at how the Cubs handled their 2016 playoff lineups at second base and the corner outfield spots. Every other position was locked in.

Javier Baez started all 17 postseason games at second after 97 starts in the regular season. Ben Zobrist began 16 games in left field and one in right. Five different players drew starts in RF. Jason Heyward was benched in six games, three times against lefties and three against righties.

So it's settled. Baez at second every time means they care more about defense in October. Not so fast.

Epstein added, "You're always weighing all the different variables building your lineup for the opposing starting pitcher, for the ballpark, for the weather conditions, for your starting pitcher, the defensive alignment you want to have out there for how you anticipate late game strategy going, what you might want available on your bench, how you're going to counteract the opponent's bench."

It's also more complicated this season with a deeper roster.

Kyle Schwarber wasn't cleared to play until the World Series and was never cleared to play the field. Ian Happ was just a minor leaguer. Jon Jay was in San Diego.

The stat Defensive Runs Saved for the outfield has Heyward plus-16, Albert Almora 0, Happ minus-2, Schwarber and Zobrist minus-4, and Jay minus-5.

Heyward's offensive improvement is enough to warrant a start every playoff game with his stellar defense. His batting average is up 24 points and slugging percentage up 52. Not his career norms, but better. His on-base percentage against southpaws is about the same as last year, but he's hitting .265 instead of .207.

Zobrist's August includes a .265 average and .359 on-base, but he's hit only 1 homer since returning from injury on July 1st.

Almora is in the lineup every time against a lefty for good reason. His .344 average, .422 OBP, and .944 OPS.

Happ's .889 OPS against righties is second best on the team. Schwarber is likely to be in left field those games. Would Maddon risk Happ in center field or even second base? Baez has a .736 OPS vs RHP.

Epstein is right. A lot of variables.

All fun to think about, but there's still five weeks.

• Joe Ostrowski is a co-host of the "Hit & Run" baseball show from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on WSCR 670-AM The Score with Barry Rozner. Follow him on Twitter@JoeO670.