2020 MLB Season: Simulating AL games, May 29-31
By Bill Felber
In this edition of the 2020 MLB season, the Twins have lots to do in Chicago.
Minnesota’s visit to Chicago was an opportunity for the White Sox to legitimize their wild card credentials and potentially build momentum for the division race, but the Twins didn’t give Chicago much of a chance. The visitors scored in double figures in all three games, Chicago still managing to save one of them.
With 14 runs of support including an eight-run top of the first, Jake Odorizzi, 9-2, had it easy in Friday’s 14-4 victory. Nelson Cruz’s four hits included a three-run home run off Sox starter Dallas Keuchel, 3-4, who faced six batters without retiring any of them.
Saturday’s game was a virtual reprise of Friday, the Twins this time scoring four in the first, two in the second and four more in the third, by which time Sox starter Reynaldo Lopez, 4-3, was gone. Luis Arraez and Josh Donaldson both had three hits, Donaldson driving in three runs in the 13-6 victory.
That set the stage for Sunday’s wild finish. The teams were tied 7-7 entering the ninth when the Twins hit Sox relievers Jace Fry and Kelvin Herrera for three runs including Max Kepler’s home run
That appeared to set up the Twins for a sweep, but Sergio Romo, 1-2, couldn’t make it stick. Yasmani Grandal’s three-run home run led a four-run rally that made a winner instead of Alex Colome, 2-2.
The Indians beat Kansas City 6-1 Friday as Aaron Civale, 5-3, scattered eight hits across six innings. Sandy Leon homered and drove in three runs. Cleveland also won 3-2 Saturday behind seven innings from Carlos Carrasco, 2-1. Franmil Reyes’s two-run sixth-inning home run off Brad Keller, 2-8, put Cleveland on top.
But on Sunday, Jacob Junis, 6-5, and two relievers held the home team to four hits in a 2-0 shutout. Junis pitched into the ninth. Then after the Indians mounted a late threat against Junis and Tim Hill, Ian Kennedy came in to record his ninth save.
Related Story. 2020 MLB Season: Simulating NL games, May 22-24. light
W-L Pct GB
Minnesota 42-18 .700 —
Cleveland 38-21 .644 3.5
Chicago 33-27 .550 9
Kansas City 24-37 .393 18.5
Detroit 18-41 .305 23.5