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. Or, you know, at least get them back on schedule. Now, onto the recap!
Last April, Matthew Boyd put on a show at Yankee Stadium, striking out 13 hitters in a 2-1 victory over the New York Yankees. The simulated version of Boyd nearly repeated that performance on Thursday, fanning 12 in a 1-0 win over the Bronx Bombers. C.J. Cron continued his All-Star caliber season with a solo home run to provide the winning margin.
And... well, that’s about it. Boyd and Yankees starter Luis Severino were both in control from the get-go, and neither offense was able to get much going for most of the evening. The two teams combined for 11 hits, with Cron’s homer representing the only extra-base hit. The hardest-hit ball, aside from Cron’s home run, was probably a sharp double play ball from Jeimer Candelario that ended a mini-rally in the sixth.
The Yankees’ only true threat to score came in the bottom of the seventh. Boyd gave up a single to Aaron Judge, but induced a routine ground ball from Gleyber Torres that mysteriously — yeah, I dunno what happened there — didn’t result in any outs. Shao-Ching Chiang came on in relief and struck out Giancarlo Stanton, then retired Luke Voit on a weak grounder. Aaron Hick was intentionally walked with first base open, and Danny Jansen popped out with the bases loaded, ending the threat. Cron homered immediately after that to open the top of the eighth, and the back end of the Tigers’ bullpen locked things down from there for the win.
Standings!
With the win, the simulated Tigers improved to 18-13, and are now tied for first place in the AL Central.
AL Central Standings - MLB The Show Simulation
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PERCENTAGE | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PERCENTAGE | GB |
| Twins | 18 | 13 | .581 | - |
| Tigers | 18 | 13 | .567 | - |
| Indians | 16 | 17 | .485 | 3.0 |
| Royals | 15 | 16 | .467 | 3.5 |
| White Sox | 13 | 18 | .419 | 5.0 |
Up next
The Tigers will head to Kansas City for a three-game set over the weekend before returning home to face the Colorado Rockies early next week. Our friends at Purple Row are also hosting an MLB The Show simulation, so be on the lookout for a potential collaboration with them in the coming days.