MLB Games: Simulating opening weekend for the AL
By Bill Felber
Simulating MLB Games
AL Central
The Chicago White Sox, rated as divisional contenders for the first time in a decade, opened at home by winning two of three MLB games from the Kansas City Royals.
Behind Lucas Giolito’s seven strong innings, the White Sox shut out the Royals 2-0 on opening day, Giolito allowing just two hits in seven innings. Jose Abreu drove in both White Sox runs with a fifth-inning RBI double.
Chicago also took the Sunday game 6-4 with Gio Gonzalez working six innings in his South Side debut.
Chicago nearly made it a sweep, losing a 10-6 lead on a five-run Kansas City sixth, tying the game 11-11, then losing in the 10th inning on Ryan O’Hearn’s solo home run off reliever Evan Marshall.
Defending American League batting champion jump-started his defense of that title with nine hits in the opening series. Anderson scored six times.
Despite the temporary absence of ace Mike Clevinger, still recovering from a pre-season injury, the Cleveland Indians took two of three from the visiting Tigers. Six Indians pitchers held the Tigers to five hits in a 6-3 opening day victory. The Tigers evened the books on Saturday with an 8-6 win built on a six-run seventh inning off starter Aaron Civale and two relievers.
But the Tigers’ hopes took a hit when outfielder JaCoby Jones was injured in a collision with Corbin Maybin. Jones is expected to be out for about three weeks. The Sunday game ended on Francisco Lindor’s 2-run 11th inning walk-off home run.
The top of the Indians’ order, Lindor, Oscar Mercado, and Domingo Santana, combined for 19 hits across the three games.