2020 MLB Season: Simulating NL games, June 22-26
By Bill Felber
In this 2020 MLB season, in the NL Central, the Cubs make a move.
Chicago’s sweep of the division leaders allowed the Cubs to leapfrog Milwaukee into third place in the Central, and also gave them at least a minimal leg up on .500 at the season’s halfway mark.
The series key came in Tuesday’s opener when Willson Contreras launched a 10th inning home run off Lucas Sims to produce a 3-2 victory. Craig Kimbrel wrapped up his 11th save. It was Chicago’s eighth victory in nine extra-inning games this season.
It was also the first of three straight one-run decisions, all going Chicago’s way. On Wednesday, Chicago jumped out to a 7-3 lead for Jon Lester on a three-run home run by Kris Bryant. Then a succession of relievers hung on. Kimbrel finally nailing down his 12th save despite throwing ninth-inning home run balls to Alex Blandino and Mike Moustakas that brought the final score to 8-7.
On Thursday Cincinnati carried a 3-1 advantage into the ninth for Luis Castillo. But the Cubs rapped reliever Raisel Iglesias for three hits plus two walks resulting in three late runs and a 4-3 comeback win to nail down the sweep. Kyle Schwarber, Vic Caratini, and Jason Kipnis did the damage after Javier Baez and Contreras set the table by drawing walks.
The Brewers fell behind the Cubs when they couldn’t handle Toronto at home. On Monday, the Jays broke open 1-0 pitcher’s duel between Tanner Roark, 5-4, and Adrian Houser, 4-10, with a six-run seventh inning on the way to a 10-0 victory. Randal Grichuk homered twice and drove in five runs.
Wednesday’s contest was a struggle, the teams tied 3-3 after nine innings. In the top of the 10th, though, Vlad Guerrero Jr. – whose two-run home run had put Toronto ahead in the third – doubled home Cavan Biggio with the run that made a winner of Anthony Bass. Ken Giles picked up his league-leading 20th save.
The Jays made it a clean sweep Wednesday thanks to a three-run eighth that set up a 5-4 victory. Rowdy Tellez’s pinch-hit home run off Brewers reliever Ray Black was the key blow.
Related Story. 2020 MLB Season: Simulating AL games, June 19-21. light
W-L Pct GB
Cincinnati Reds 45-38 .542 —
St. Louis Cardinals 44-38 .537 .5
Chicago Cubs 41-40 .506 3
Milwaukee Brewers 40-40 .500 3.5
Pittsburgh Pirates 31-49 .388 12.5