While the baseball world mourns the postponement of the 2020 season, we are continuing our MLB season simulation.
Every day until the actual 2020 season begins, we will simulate one day of baseball on The Show and report back to you—the readers—about what went down during the simulation.
All reports and archives from this simulation can be found here.
Without further ado, April 1.
Red Sox 5, Orioles 2
The Orioles fall to 0-6 as Alex Verdugo, Xander Bogaerts, and J.D. Martinez all go yard. Collin McHugh threw seven scoreless innings, allowing just five hits. On the other side, John Means allowed three runs over five innings.
Rays 2, Yankees 0
The Yankees were limited to just three hits in this one. Tampa Bay’s top performer was José Martínez, who went two-for-four with an RBI. Charlie Morton dazzled, allowing just three hits and 10 strikeouts over eight scoreless innings. Gerrit Cole impressedd with two runs over seven innings in the loss.
Blue Jays 5, Reds 1
Randal Grichuk led the way for the Blue Jays, going two-for-four with three RBI. Both Trevor Bauer and Tanner Roark went seven innings (each allowed just one run) but the Reds’ bullpen spoiled the close game as they fell apart.
White Sox 8, Indians 2
Adam Engel (two-for-four, three RBI) and Yoan Moncada (one-for-five, two RBI) had big performances in Chicago’s win. Cleveland added two runs on a Jake Bauers homer but it wasn’t nearly enough. Lucas Giolito bounced back after a rough first start by allowing just two runs over 6.2 innings.
Tigers 6, Royals 5
The Tigers walked it off at home on Wednesday. Kansas City’s lone spurt came from an impressive Alex Gordon, who went two-for-four with two RBI out of the nine hole. Detroit welcomed C.J. Cron’s three-run blast in the seventh before Jeimer Candelario’s two-run bomb in the ninth.
Twins 6, Mariners 2
Max Kepler had a big day, going two-for-five with three RBI. Nelson Cruz added three hits and scored three times while plating a run. Kenta Maeda got the win after allowing one run over five innings.
Angels 3, Texans 2
David Fletcher’s two-run single off the bench in the ninth gave the Halos the lead and eventual win. Shohei Ohtani allowed two runs on six hits while striking out nine over six innings. On the other side, Corey Kluber impressed with one run over 7.2 innings but Jose Leclerc blew the lead with a hit, three walks, and two runs in the ninth.
Athletics 5, Astros 4
Yuli Gurriel and Josh Reddick added two runs on two hits but the Astros fell to the Athletics, who welcomed homers from Mark Canha, Matt Chapman, and Stephen Piscotty. Frankie Montas exited after allowing three runs in 3.1 innings but the relievers who followed him helped secure the eventual win.
Padres 6, Braves 5 (F/14)
It took 14 innings, but the Padres improved to 7-0 with a win over the Braves. Josh Naylor came up big all game long with three hits and three RBI. The game’s lone homers came from Ronald Acuña, Jr. and Charlie Culberson. The teams combined for 15 pitchers, with Max Fried’s one run over 7.1 innings standing out despite the Braves’ loss. José Castillo stood strong as he allowed zero runs and just one hit over the final two innings, giving the Padres time to walk it off.
Marlins 5, Nationals 4
The Marlins won in walkoff fashion on Wednesday. For the Nats, Eric Thames came up big despite the loss as he went two-for-four with three RBI; he and Juan Soto homered. Jorge Alfaro knocked in one run on three hits for Miami, while Brian Anderson slapped a pair of hits and recorded an RBI. Sixto Sanchez’s two innings of scoreless baseball out of the bullpen proved critical.
Phillies 7, Mets 5
A three-run ninth gave the Phillies the late lead and eventual victory. J.T. Realmuto went two-for-five with four RBI while Rhys Hoskins added two runs on two hits; both of them tripled along the way. New York’s offense welcomed two RBI from Michael Conforto, as well as homers from Wilson Ramos, Jake Marisnick, and Amed Rosario.
Cubs 5, Pirates 4
The Cubs walked off against the Pirates despite Pittsburgh taking the lead in the top of the ninth. Pinch-hitter Jason Heyward and star infielder Javier Báez hit back-to-back homers to secure the walkoff win. Joe Musgrove allowed three runs in 3.1 innings while Kyle Hendricks surrendered as many runs over seven frames.
Cardinals 8, Brewers 4
The Cardinals trailed entering the ninth but emerged with a five-run frame. Tommy Edman, Paul Goldschmidt, and Dexter Fowler impressed with two-RBI games while Yadier Molina went three-for-five with an RBI. Orlando Arcia was the top performer for Milwaukee with three RBI on two hits, including a homer.
Giants 6, Diamondbacks 4
The bottom third off the order was solid for San Francisco as Buster Posey and Brandon Belt combined for four RBI. Arizona welcomed Ketel Marte’s two-hit, two-RBI game, but it wasn’t enough. Johnny Cueto allowed four runs in six innings but the bullpen behind him combined for zero runs on one hit and zero walks over the final three frames.
Rockies 4, Dodgers 3
The Rockies finally won a game, becoming the 29th team to do so. Charlie Blackmon was two-for-three with two RBI while Brendan Rodgers and Josh Fuentes homered. Los Angeles added three runs as Justin Turner’s two homers knocked in two and Cody Bellinger’s double plated one, but it wasn’t enough. Jon Gray allowed two runs over five frames while the Rockies’ bullpen was solid. On the other side, Clayton Kershaw allowed four runs over five innings.
Key Transactions
- Royals, Dodgers complete trade.
The Royals have acquired infielder Michael Busch from the Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Dairon Blonco. - Twins, Reds swap outfielders.
The Reds sent T.J. Friedl to the Twins in exchange for Jimmy Kerrigan.
Player of the Day
Charlie Morton dazzled in the Rays’ shutout of the Yankees, allowing just three hits and 10 strikeouts over eight scoreless innings en route to a 2-0 victory.
Standings
AL East
Yankees (5-1)
Blue Jays (5-2)
Red Sox (5-3)
Rays (1-5)
Orioles (0-6)
AL Central
Twins (6-1)
White Sox (5-1)
Indians (3-3)
Tigers (2-3)
Royals (2-3)
AL West
Astros (4-3)
Angels (3-3)
Athletics (3-4)
Mariners (3-4)
Rangers (1-5)
NL East
Phillies (5-2)
Nationals (4-2)
Mets (2-4)
Braves (2-5)
Marlins (2-5)
NL Central
Cubs (5-1)
Cardinals (5-1)
Reds (2-4)
Pirates (2-4)
Brewers (1-5)
NL West
Padres (7-0)
Dodgers (5-1)
Giants (3-3)
Diamondbacks (2-5)
Rockies (1-6)
