2020 MLB Season: Simulating NL games, May 4-7
By Bill Felber
2020 MLB Season: Simulating NL games (May 4-7)
National League Central
The mid-week round in St. Louis’ ongoing battle to stave off the Cincinnati Reds was fundamentally a draw, St. Louis adding one-half game to what had been a game and a half advantage. Both teams squandered opportunities to gain ground.
The Cardinals took the first two games from the visiting San Diego Padres. Yadier Molina’s three-run double keyed a five-run Cardinal fifth inning in a 7-5 Monday win for Jack Flaherty. On Tuesday, Molina was at it again, his ninth-inning home run off Emilio Pagan walking off a 4-3 victory.
The Cardinals led the Wednesday finale 3-2 until Tommy Pham’s eighth-inning home run off John Brebbia put the Padres in front. Kirby Yates closed out his ninth save of the season, making a winner out of fellow reliever Craig Stammen.
In a three-game series at Citi Field, the Reds gave early indications of ceding the race to the Cardinals. The Mets lit up Luis Castillo for five runs in six innings Monday on the way to a 10-1 victory for Marcus Stroman. Pete Alonso and Michael Conforto both homered, Alonso and Ahmed Rosario both driving in three runs.
One day later, Stephen Matz shut out the Reds 5-0 as Alonso homered again, this time driving in three runs. Matz held the Reds to a single base hit, Joey Votto getting it in the first inning.
Then the Reds woke up. They thrashed Rick Porcello in a 9-1 decision Wednesday, Eugenio Suarez homering twice and driving in five runs. On Thursday, opening a four-game series with the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ballpark, the Reds rode Sonny Gray’s seven-hit pitching, and Mike Moustakas’ two home runs to a 6-1 win.
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W-L Pct GB
St Louis 24-15 .615 —
Cincinnati 21-16 .568 2
Milwaukee 19-18 .514 4
Chicago 17-21 .447 6.5
Pittsburgh 12-24 .333 10.5