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!
The simulated Detroit Tigers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but the Chicago White Sox quickly pulled back even en route to an 8-5 victory over the Tigers on Tuesday evening. Chicago’s offense pounded out 17 hits in the winning effort, sending the Tigers to their sixth loss in a row.
For a little while, it looked as if this would be a much different result for Detroit. They jumped on starter Dylan Cease early, collecting two singles in the first inning before Niko Goodrum launched a three-run home run to deep left-center. The homer, Goodrum’s 13th of the season and first of two for him on the night, put the Tigers up 3-0 before Spencer Turnbull took the mound.
Unfortunately, things went sideways for the Tigers as soon as he did. Leury Garcia lined Turnbull’s second pitch into the right field corner for a double, and moved up to third base on a Yoan Moncada single — one of four hits for the former top overall prospect in this game. A Tim Anderson double play ball scored Garcia, but left the bases empty with two outs. That didn’t stop the Sox, though, as Eloy Jimenez unloaded on a hanging slider for a solo home run, bringing his club within one run.
The Tigers added a run in the fourth on a Jonathan Schoop homer (his 15th of the year), but Chicago answered with two runs in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to take control. A pair of solo homers in the fourth sent Turnbull to the showers after recording just 10 outs, and a second Jose Abreu home run put them ahead for good in the fifth. Goodrum added his second homer of the night in the top of the sixth, bringing the score to 6-5, but two more runs in the bottom of the frame put Chicago back up by three runs. Their bullpen took control from there, recording the final nine outs of the game with little difficulty.
Roster moves!
Following Tuesday’s game, the simulated Tigers reinstated outfielder Cameron Maybin from the 10-day injured list. To make room for him on the active roster, Daz Cameron was optioned to Triple-A Toledo.
Check out our full simulation stats here!