Tigers 5, Twins 2: Detroit kicks off homestand with win in MLB The Show simulation

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 stretched their win streak to three games on Tuesday, taking a 4-2 decision over the Minnesota Twins to kick off a six-game homestand. Daniel Norris worked 6 ²⁄₃ innings to pick up his first win in a month, and Austin Romine played the hero on the offensive side, driving in three runs.

It was Romine’s three-run blow that opened the scoring, in fact. C.J. Cron led off the second inning with a double, his 23rd of the season. Niko Goodrum made hard contact on what likely would have been a single up the middle, but the sharp grounder hit Twins starter Jose Berrios in the foot; regardless, Goodrum was safe at first, putting runners on the corners with no outs. A Jonathan Schoop walk loaded the bases, and Romine delivered, sending a 1-0 fastball to the left field wall for a bases-clearing double.

The Tigers had plenty of chances after that to extend their lead — they loaded the bases again in the third inning but came up empty — but were turned away by Berrios and the Twins bullpen as their offense slowly cut into the Tigers’ lead. Alex Avila homered off Norris to put the Twins on the board in the sixth, and a Josh Donaldson double with two outs in the seventh sent Norris to the showers.

Fortunately, the Tigers were able to wiggle out of a jam in the seventh to maintain a slim 3-2 lead heading into the later innings. A Victor Reyes single and Jeimer Candelario triple in the bottom of the seventh extended their lead to 4-2, and Stewart drove in a run with an RBI single in the eighth.

While Minnesota did not score in the ninth, it wasn’t the cleanest save for Joe Jimenez. He gave up a leadoff single to Luis Arraez, then a one-out knock to Nelson Cruz, bringing the tying run to the plate. But the Tigers’ closer was able to buckle down after that, striking out Max Kepler and Josh Donaldson to seal the win.

Standings update!

The simulated Cleveland Indians have been on an absolute tear of late — they went 21-5 in June — and have taken over the top spot in the division. The Twins sit a game behind Cleveland, while the Tigers are 4 ¹⁄₂ games back of first place, and 2 ¹⁄₂ games out of the Wild Card.

Check out our full simulation stats here!