2020 MLB Season: Simulating AL games, July 3-5
By Bill Felber
In this 2020 MLB season simulation, The Athletics continued to ratchet up pressure on Houston.
Mike Fiers won the Friday game 4-2 thanks in part to home runs by Matt Olson and Mark Canha. Fiers, 11-5, scattered eight hits over seven innings. Oakland also won 2-0 Saturday behind Sean Manaea, who hurled a complete-game three-hitter. Matt Chapman provided all the offense Manaea would need with a leadoff home run.
Baltimore took the Sunday finale 10-8, breaking an 8-8 tie with two runs in the ninth inning. Pedro Severino, Dwight Smith, and Jorge Rondon were the key players, combining for 11 hits that drive in seven runs. Severino’s hits included a home run and a double.
More from MLB News
- MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves still on top with major shifting below them
- Caesars MLB Promo Code: Two Shots at Picking the World Series Winner!
- MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves still on top amid a big shake-up in top 10
- DraftKings MLB Promo: Bet $5 on an Anytime Home Run, Win $150 Bonus GUARANTEED
- MLB Power Rankings: After MLB trade deadline, gap is closing on Atlanta Braves
The White Sox took their series opener in Texas 4-3 in 12 innings. They rolled to a 16-2 decision Saturday, hammering out 21 hits off Corey Kluber and two relievers. Yasmani Grandal and Tim Anderson both homered twice, and Nomar Mazara had four extra-base hits, three doubles, and a triple.
The Rangers did get away with a 5-1 win Sunday, Rougned Odor’s home run and double leading to three RBIs.
The Tigers, imprisoned in the AL Central cellar all season, escaped that spot with their sweep of the Royals in Kansas City. The Tigers now sit one-half game ahead of the Royals.
Tiger pitching was the difference; they held the Royals to just two runs in the three-game series. In the opener, Daniel Norris lasted seven innings and allowed only Sal Perez’s home run in a 6-1 victory.
2020 MLB Season: Simulating NL games, June 22-26. light. Related Story
Cameron Maybin hit a three-run home run in the first inning to provide all the support Norris would need.
On Saturday, Ivan Nova allowed just one run into the eighth inning and the Tigers won 2-1.
Jordan Zimmerman shut out the Royals 2-0 on Sunday, holding them to four hits. Niko Goodrum had three hits, one of them driving in a decisive first-inning run.
Next. 2020 MLB Season: Simulating AL games, June 22-26. dark
AL West W-L Pct GB
Houston Astros 56-33 .629 —
Oakland Athletics 50-40 .556 6.5
Los Angeles Angels 45-45 .500 11.5
Texas Rangers 44-47 .484 13
Seattle Mariners 33-58 .363 24