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, March 31.
Red Sox 6, Orioles 5
Xander Bogaerts had two hits and two RBI while Mitch Moreland slugged three hits en route to a victory in Baltimore. Marcus Walden allowed three runs over 6.1 innings for Boston while Keegan Akin surrendered four runs over five innings for the O’s.
Yankees 1, Rays 0
Gio Urshela homered in the first at-bat of the game and the scoring ended there. Jordan Montgomery allowed just three hits and zero runs over eight innings while Aroldis Chapman earned the save. Yonny Chirinos allowed just one run over seven frames but it wasn’t enough.
Reds 9, Blue Jays 6 (F/12)
A late Reds surge tied the game before they later won it. Shogo Akiyama and Freddy Galvis both had three hits and one RBI while Phillip Ervin knocked in three. For Toronto, Lourdes Gurriel, Jr.’s two-for-six day with three RBI wasn’t enough. Both bullpens struggled after Hyun-Jin Ryu and Tyler Mahle impressed out of the gate.
White Sox 7, Indians 5
Eloy Jiménez impressed in the win, going three-for-four with four RBI, including two home runs. Tyler Naquin and Jose Ramirez added two-run homers for the Indians, who ultimately fell short. Zach Plesac was chased out of the game after just 3.2 innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits.
Twins 7, Mariners 2
Nelson Cruz went four-for-five with two RBI en route to a Twins victory out west. Jose Berrios impressed as he allowed just one run on seven hits over six innings.
Angels 5, Rangers 2
A four-run fifth was huge for the Halos. Anthony Rendon impressed again, going two-for-five with three RBI. Julio Teheran went eight innings, allowing just two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six. Things weren’t as smooth for Texas’ Jordan Lyles, who allowed four runs in 4.1 innings.
Athletics 5, Astros 2
Yordan Alvarez’s two-run blast was all that showed up on Houston’s portion of the scoreboard. Marcus Semien added two hits and three RBI for Oakland while Robbie Grossman contributed a pair of hits and a pair of RBI. Sean Manaea allowed just two runs over seven innings of stellar work.
Padres 5, Braves 4
The Padres continued their undefeated run despite Ronald Acuña, Jr.’s four-RBI game. Manny Machado entered off the bench but still managed to impress for San Diego, finishing two-for-three while scoring twice and plating a pair. He and Brian Dozier homered. Dinelson Lamet surrendered just one run over six innings.
Nationals 12, Marlins 7
Asdrubal Cabrera went three-for-six with two RBI while Eric Thames was four-for-six with an RBI in the Nats’ win. Isan Diaz had a huge day for the Marlins, adding three RBI on three hits during the loss.
Phillies 2, Mets 1
Scott Kingery’s two-run double in the second was all the Phillies needed to take the lead and win. Aaron Nola went 7.1 innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out 11 Mets batters. Rick Porcello settled down for New York, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings.
Cubs 4, Pirates 2
Kevin Newman’s two-RBI day wasn’t enough as the Buccos fell to the Cubbies. Jason Kipnis’s two-run single in the sixth gave the Cubs the lead and they held on to win.
Cardinals 3, Brewers 1
A three-run eighth was the turning point for St. Louis, who welcomed Lane Thomas’s two-hit, two-RBI day. Daniel Poncedeleon was solid, allowing one run over six innings. Josh Lindblom also impressed, allowing one run over seven frames before Brent Suter’s relief outing put the lead in the Cardinals’ hands.
Giants 3, Diamondbacks 1
Hunter Pence’s two hits accounted for all three Giants runs in this one as he went yard and singled. Kevin Gausman went seven strong, allowing just one run, before Tony Watson and Reyes Moronta sealed the deal. Madison Bumgarner impressed against his old team (one run in two hits over seven innings) before the bullpen crumbled.
Dodgers 4, Rockies 2
Nolan Arenado’s two-hit, two-RBI day was not enough as the Rockies fell short in L.A. This was a fairly quiet game as no players had multiple RBI (except Arenado) and only two (Arenado and Mookie Betts) notched two hits.
Key Transactions
- Red Sox, Giants agree to trade.
The Red Sox acquired catcher Rob Brantly from the Giants in exchange for minor league third baseman Ryder Jones. In a corresponding move, San Francisco purchased the contract of catcher Aramis Garcia and promoted him to the majors. - Strop injures hand.
Reds reliever Pedro Strop landed on the 15-day injured list after fracturing his hand. The club recalled fellow reliever Lucas Sims from Lousiville. - Martin Perez down; Aybar DFA’d.
The Red Sox optioned starter Martin Perez to Triple-A and designated reliever Yoan Aybar for assignment.
Player of the Day
Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery earns Player of the Day honors for March 31 after he allowed just three hits and zero runs over eight innings before Aroldis Chapman closed out the game with a save.
Standings
AL East
Yankees (5-0)
Blue Jays (4-2)
Red Sox (3-3)
Rays (1-4)
Orioles (0-5)
AL Central
Twins (5-1)
White Sox (4-1)
Royals (2-2)
Indians (2-3)
Tigers (1-3)
AL West
Astros (4-2)
Mariners (3-3)
Angels (2-3)
Athletics (2-4)
Rangers (1-4)
NL East
Nationals (4-1)
Phillies (4-2)
Mets (2-3)
Braves (2-4)
Marlins (1-5)
NL Central
Cubs (4-1)
Cardinals (4-1)
Reds (2-3)
Pirates (2-3)
Brewers (1-4)
NL West
Padres (6-0)
Dodgers (5-0)
Giants (2-3)
Diamondbacks (2-4)
Rockies (0-6)
