Disclaimer: This is the recap from the simulated game on April 1, 2020. Information for Friday’s home opener will be posted in the Game Thread one hour before first pitch.
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The Sim Rockies couldn’t pull off the sweep on Wednesday as the Sim Dodgers were all over Rockies pitching, taking a 3-0 lead in the second inning and never looking back on their way to collecting 16 hits and the win. Still, the Rockies have yet to lose a series this season and will come to Sim Coors Field for the home opener with a 4-3 record.
Clayton Kershaw is who we thought he was, even in sim form
The Dodger great almost had a complete game with over 120 pitches against the Rockies before being pulled in the ninth inning after giving up a hit to Trevor Story, but then striking out Charlie Blackmon. Story later scored on an RBI single by Daniel Murphy and Kershaw was charged with the run, but he still managed to finish the day with 12 strikeouts, only giving up six hits and no walks in his first win of the sim season. He also hit a double to contribute offensively.
Preventing the shutout
The Rockies were held to five hits through eight innings before finally breaking through in the ninth. Story and Nolan Arenado both reached base on singles before Murphy also singled to score Story, finally getting rid of the goose egg on the scoreboard. Raimel Tapia then entered the game to pitch hit and also knocked a single that scored Arenado to give us the final score. Ian Desmond ended the game by hitting into a double play. Murphy and Story were the only Rockies to each get two hits in the game.
The injury bug bites again
Even in the sim world, injuries are striking the Rockies early in the season so far. Sim Kyle Freeland had to leave his first start against the Padres on Saturday and is currently on the 15-day IL. Sim Elias Díaz had to leave Wednesday’s game after hurting his arm sliding into second base in a double play. Díaz headed to get an x-ray and MLB: The Show’s post about it didn’t sound promising: “the way he’s holding his arm, this looks bad.” Fortunately, it turned out just to be a bruise, but Díaz was still placed on the 10-day IL. Drew Butera was called up from Triple-A to take his place in the roster.
SIMULATED TRANSACTIONS:
— bkouchnerkavich (@bkouchnerkavich) April 1, 2020
- Elias Díaz has been placed on the 10-day IL with a bruised arm
- The contract of Drew Butera has been selected from Triple-A
- The Rockies now have a full 40-man roster
Sim Márquez only goes four innings
The Dodgers jumped on Márquez early when Joc Pederson hit an RBI double in the second and was followed by a Gavin Lux two-run homer to right to put L.A. up 3-0. Sim Mookie Betts added onto the lead with his first homer as a Dodger, a solo shot to make it 4-0. Márquez (1-1) finished the start giving up four hits on seven hits in 63 pitches in four innings. On the bright side, he struck out three and walked none. Yency Almonte pitched a nice 1-2-3 inning in the fifth inning, but the Dodgers added to their lead with another run in both the sixth and seventh, and two more in the eighth against James Pazos and Carlos Estévez. Pederson went 3-for-3 with two doubles, one RBI, and two runs, Lux went 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored, and Max Muncy went 2-for-4 with a double and scored two runs.
Full Game Video
If you want to relive the full game for yourself, check it out on YouTube!
If you’d like to run your own simulations, you can get your own copy of MLB The Show 20 right here.
Up Next
The Sim Rockies will have an off day on Thursday, April 2 before returning to Colorado for the home opener against the Sim Padres on Friday. Jeff Hoffman will make the start for the Rockies, filling in for Kyle Freeland — who is on the 15-day DL — against Joey Lucchesi for San Diego. While the original game was scheduled for 2:10 p.m. MDT, we will be moving the simulated home opener to 7 p.m. MDT so that everyone can watch the “Stay at Home Opener” on AT&T SportsNet and Rockies.com, which is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. MDT.
According to a Rockies press release, the virtual game broadcast “will be comprised of the best and most memorable innings in the history of Rockies home opening days.” The Rockies are also asking for donations in a “Feed the Rockies” fundraiser that will benefit food banks in Colorado and Wyoming and the Rockies Foundation will match up to $300,000. See the Rockies press release for more information. In addition, Purple Row is still hosting a virtual panel in lieu of the Opening Day Breakfast panel with our own Sam Bradfield, along with Jenny Cavnar, Thomas Harding, Patrick Saunders and Jack Corrigan. It will premiere on YouTube tomorrow at 9 a.m. MDT. Stay tuned for more info.
Your Feedback
To give you more time to watch the games sans spoilers, we will be posting each game’s recap the following day instead of immediately after the game. If you have any feedback or ideas for our simulated season, let us know! In this brave new world of simulated baseball, we’re all learning as we go. Thank you for your continued support!