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!
For the second day in a row, the simulated Detroit Tigers had to go to their bullpen an inning earlier than desired because National League baseball is stupid. And, for the second day in a row, the bullpen couldn’t come through. This time, Shao-Ching Chiang was the victim, as he surrendered two runs in a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday afternoon.
Once again, both clubs struggled offensively against their opponent’s starter. The Tigers put two runners on in the first against Dodgers lefthander Julio Urias, but came away empty. Los Angeles opened the scoring in the bottom of the first against Michael Fulmer, forcing 28 pitches from the Tigers’ righthander.
After flailing for the better part of five innings, the Tigers finally mounted a rally in the sixth. Victor Reyes was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and C.J. Cron moved him into scoring position. Jonathan Schoop tied the score with a ground rule double, but the Tigers were unable to further capitalize with two runners in scoring position. After a scoreless sixth from Fulmer, the Tigers pinch hit for him in the seventh; while Niko Goodrum did his job with a double into the gap, Reyes was unable to bring him home, keeping the score tied at 1-1.
Unfortunately, that move seemingly came back to bite the Tigers in the bottom of the inning. Shao-Ching Chiang allowed a single with one out, and the Dodgers’ impeccable situational hitting continued when Cody Bellinger and Gavin Lux collected back-to-back two-out hits to bring home a pair of runs. The Tigers were unable to mount a comeback after that, going quietly in the eighth and ninth innings as the Dodgers closed out the three-game sweep.
Up next
The Tigers head to Chicago on Monday for a four-game series against the White Sox. It’s their third matchup with the Sox this month, and second in the past week. After that, the Tigers will head to Baltimore for a weekend series against the Orioles before a much-needed day off next Monday.
Check out our full simulation stats here!