Like many of our friends throughout the SB Nation network, we are simulating the 2020 MLB season with MLB The Show 20. While we are unable to stream the games as they would otherwise be happening, we will try to get ahead of the curve and post about the games on the same day they would have taken place. Now, onto the recap!
Tommy La Stella hit a solo home run off Spencer Turnbull to represent the only scoring in a 1-0 Los Angeles Angels victory at Comerica Park on Friday evening. Turnbull worked six strong innings, but was saddled with his first loss of the season as the Detroit Tigers offense was limited to just two hits.
To illustrate how offensively challenged this game was, La Stella’s home run in the fifth broke up an early perfect game bid from Turnbull. The Tigers’ righthander retired the first 13 batters he faced, and only allowed four hits in total. The Angels nearly plated another run in the sixth, but Turnbull and the Tigers were fortunate that David Fletcher’s double down the left field line bounced over the wall; the ground rule double kept Andrelton Simmons at third base, where he was stranded when Turnbull induced a Mike Trout groundout to end the frame.
The extra run did not matter, though. The Tigers offense was stonewalled by starter Julio Teheran, who allowed just two hits and two walks across eight scoreless innings. Victor Reyes reached base twice, and made it into scoring position with no outs in the sixth, but was left stranded both times.
Simulation notes
First, apologies for the late upload. Our dog was neutered earlier this week (poor guy) and he has been a handful since then, to say the least. Those paying close attention to the video will also notice that Miguel Cabrera goes from an 0-2 count to 2-2 after a foul ball; there were some dog shenanigans involved.
At some point in the last series, the offensive difficulty moved up another level. While a 48-hour gap in recording likely contributed to the lackluster performance, it seems we have finally found our appropriate level.