Though there are rumors of a 2020 MLB season on the horizon, we continue simulating games. Today, we take a look at the results for May 8-10 for the NL.
If it’s possible to wrap up the NL Most Valuable Player race in the season’s first quarter, Ketel Marte is making a strong run at doing so.
On Friday through Sunday games with the Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona’s star infielder-outfielder added seven hits, three of them home runs, to his season total. He drove in five runs in helping the Diamondbacks sweep the Brewers and re-take first place in the NL West.
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Through 40 games of the simulated 2020 National League season, Marte sits atop the batting race at a remarkable .402. His other numbers are as lofty: a .467 on-base average and .764 slugging average, a 23-game hitting streak, a 1.231 OPS, 70 base hits, and 19 multi-hit games. Marte holds or shares the league lead in all those categories.
Marte’s two Friday home runs helped Arizona to a 4-3 10-inning win Friday. Christian Walker drove in the winner with a base hit scoring Marte, who had been given an intentional walk by Brewers pitcher Corey Knebel. The defeat was Knebel’s third of the year.
Marte delivered a third home run in the D-Backs’ 8-4 Saturday win. Catcher Stu Vogt also homered, a three-run shot in the eighth off Josh Hader. On Sunday Marte had to content himself with a mere pair of singles in Arizona’s 9-5 victory. Starling Marte was the big star Sunday his home run and two singles driving across three runs.
The victories enabled Arizona to edge a half-game in front of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lost two of three to San Diego in LA. In other National League weekend games, the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies took two of three from Pittsburgh, Atlanta did the same against visiting Miami, and the Mets lost two of three in St. Louis.
The Cincinnati Reds swept three games from Colorado in Denver, the Washington Nationals took two of three from the Cubs at Wrigley, and the Giants lost two of three to the Chicago White Sox in interleague play.