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!
Not enough offense? No problem, just don’t give up any runs! That was apparently Daniel Norris’ mantra on Wednesday as he tossed eight scoreless innings in a 1-0 simulated Detroit Tigers victory over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Joe Jimenez finished off the shutout in the ninth to earn his first save of the year.
While both teams struggled at the plate in this one, the Tigers made Indians starter Zach Plesac work much harder than Norris. Plesac threw 38 pitches through two innings, 59 through three frames, and was done after five innings and 90 pitches. Norris, on the other hand, didn’t throw more than 13 pitches in any inning, and finished with 90 pitches in total through eight innings.
Detroit broke through for the lone run of the game in the top of the third. Victor Reyes lined a double into the right field corner to reach base with one out. He scored when Miguel Cabrera hit a double of his own off the left field wall, just over Indians outfielder Domingo Santana.
Neither team threatened much after that. The Tigers put more runners on base, but many were quickly eliminated on double plays or just plain left stranded; Detroit left seven runner on base in all.
Lineup notes
According to the game’s handy pop-up notification, Christin Stewart injured his shoulder and was unavailable for this game. A last-minute lineup adjustment left us with this:
Victor Reyes - RF
Cameron Maybin - LF
Miguel Cabrera - DH
Niko Goodrum - SS
C.J. Cron - 1B
Jonathan Schoop - 2B
Jeimer Candelario - 3B
Austin Romine - C
JaCoby Jones - CF
Stewart is day-to-day.
Quick minor league update!
Through one week of games, the simulated Toledo Mud Hens are 3-4. Isaac Paredes has an .882 OPS through six games, while Jake Rogers and Daz Cameron have struggled out of the gate. Top prospect Casey Mize is also off to a slow start, with a 5.91 ERA and eight strikeouts to six walks through his first two starts. Alex Faedo gave up five runs in 2 1⁄3 innings in his first outing of the year.
On a more positive note, Matt Manning has allowed just one run on eight hits through 14 1⁄3 innings, with 11 strikeouts and two walks. Lefthander Tarik Skubal, who started the year down in Double-A, picked up right where he left off; he has 22 strikeouts to three walks through 12 innings thus far. His SeaWolves are just 2-4, though.
Up next
The Tigers and Indians will play the rubber match of their three-game series on Thursday. Following that game, Detroit will head to Minnesota to take on the Twins over the weekend.