bWAR does adjust for SOS, they use a simple ranking system which is exactly what it should be called by assigning a MOV vs a dead average team with a 0 SRS based on RF and SOS. If a team has a lot of base runners but struggles to hit with RISP the total WAR will remain higher than the team with less baserunners but more timely hitting, which evens out but obviously there’s still some give and take and it’s never exact. Like the 2015 cubs who overachieved their pythag win loss record by 7 wins for that exact reason.
The Cubs are top 3 in stolen bases bottom 4 in strikeouts, dead last in double plays and 1st in OPS+, something you’re not a fan of but it doesn’t usually deviate by more than a few points off of wRC+ in most cases while their SOS has been difficult. All things besides GIDPs and OPS in place of BABIP, walks and home runs that factor into wRC+ WAR calculation. I’m rambling on but from the naked eye, based on what’s actually happened and not projections I’m surprised they’re behind 2 teams.
It seems like fWAR assigns wins based on how much teams would pay for said player unlike bWAR which gives Nico an almost 1.5 win edge over fWAR and assigns less wins to Suzuki than fangraphs and other power hitters, which I find interesting and more accurate. 2.8 fWAR vs 1.8 bWAR for Ryan Howard in 08 as another example.
Thanks for keeping me engaged. I wish I could reciprocate with some profound insight to share.