Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates simulated game, Monday 4/27, 3 p.m. CT

The simCubs lost a ridiculous game 13-8 to the simPhillies in 17 innings Sunday. If you would like to read a sim-interview with the simCubs’ sim-manager, check it out at Duane’s Baseball history unpacked post from this morning.

Here are highlights from Sunday’s game, in which the Cubs had to come from behind in the ninth, 11th and 13 innings just to send the game to its great length. Jason Kipnis homered twice:

Here’s the Cubs schedule and results for April:

Here at BCB, we are going to play simulated games for every game on the Cubs‘ 2020 schedule via MLB The Show 20. This will continue until the actual schedule begins, or we get some clarity on what’s actually going to happen with baseball this year.

Here is the complete BCB Mediacenter where all our BCB simulated games will be located. You can watch previous games which are all archived there, but please note: We won’t have the actual link to the live broadcast of today’s specific game until it starts. At that time, Duane will drop the direct link into the comments to this post around 3 p.m CT. Until then you can use the link in this paragraph as a guide to where to find the game. All of our simulated games will begin at 3 p.m. CT.

Here are today’s particulars.

This is Game 29 of the 2020 season, Cubs vs. Pirates at Wrigley Field, the first of a three-game series. The Cubs enter today with an 18-10 record. The Pirates are 8-20, which includes losing six of seven to the Cubs so far.

Jon Lester will start for the Cubs. Trevor Williams will start for the Pirates.

Today’s lineups:

Cubs

Rizzo 1B, Bryant 3B, Schwarber LF, Contreras C, Happ CF, Heyward RF, Baez SS, Kipnis 2B, Lester P

Kris Bryant hasn’t been doing too well at leadoff. So, borrowing from Joe Maddon’s playbook, we’ll try Anthony Rizzo there for a few games.

Pirates

Newman SS, Frazier 2B, Reynolds LF, Bell 1B, Moran 3B, Polanco RF, Stallings C, Dyson CF, Williams P

There won’t be any traditional-style “recaps” of these games. Duane will post some clips and boxscores in his Cub Tracks and Baseball history unpacked posts the morning after each game, so we can track this simulated season as it unfolds. We’ll post the standings as each day goes by.

A note on the headline here, because I know you’re going to ask: This is a real thread. The game is what is simulated.

Looking to join in on the fun? If so, you can get your own copy of MLB The Show. Here’s where you can order the game.

Enjoy, and discuss amongst yourselves.