2020 MLB Season: Simulating NL games, June 5-7
By Bill Felber
The leaders do pratfalls in this version of the 2020 MLB season simulation.
The Central was the land of missed opportunities this weekend, the division’s three top teams going a combined 2-7 against non-contenders.
The results allowed Chicago, a listless fourth all season, to creep back into the fringes of division contention, albeit still with a losing record.
The Cubs achieved this by taking three of four against the division-leading Reds in Cincinnati, three of the games being decided in extra innings.
After losing Thursday’s series opener in 10, the Reds prevailed 3-2 Friday, also in 10, on Joey Votto’s walk-off single against Kyle Ryan, 2-3. Votto’s hit drove in Kyle Farmer and made a winner of Michael Lorenzen, 4-2.
But the Cubs came back Saturday for an easy 9-4 victory behind Kyle Hendricks, 8-5. Willson Contreras homered, doubled, singled, and drove in four runs, the Cubs at one point leading 9-0.
Chicago capped an impressive weekend with an 8-6 12-inning victory Sunday, The last of five Cubs home runs, by Albert Almora, came off former Cub Pedro Strop and provided the winning margin.
The Pirates followed up a Thursday win in the series opener by out-lasting the Cardinals 11-8 Friday, the game featuring 24 hits. Paul Goldschmidt and Matt Carpenter both homered for St. Louis, but Josh Bell led a relentless Pittsburgh offense. Bell’s four hits included a double and a home run, driving in four runs. Bryan Reynolds doubled, homered and drove in three runs.
The only St. Louis win came in a 6-5 Saturday decision when Adam Wainwright, 6-6, out-dueled Joe Musgrove, 7-5. On Sunday, however, Chris Archer, 2-9, fanned 11 and the Pirates won 4-3. Catcher Luke Maile hit a two-run home run to lead a nine-hit Pirate attack.
Related Story. 2020 MLB Season: Simulating AL games, June 1-4. light
W-L Pct GB
Cincinnati 37-31 .544 —
St. Louis 36-31 .537 .5
Milwaukee 34-32 .515 2
Chicago 33-34 .493 3.5
Pittsburgh 24-41 .369 11.5