Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates simulated game, Thursday 5/21, 3 p.m. CT

Javier Baez hit a grand slam in the sixth inning Wednesday, helping lead the simCubs to an 8-1 win over the simPirates. Highlights:

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 51 of the 2020 season, Cubs vs. Pirates at PNC Park, the last of a three-game series. The Cubs enter today with a 35-15 record. The Pirates are 14-34.

Yu Darvish will start for the Cubs. Steven Brault will start for the Pirates.

Today’s lineups:

Cubs

Rizzo 1B, Bryant 3B, Baez SS, Happ RF, Bote 2B, Caratini C, Hoerner CF, Schwarber LF, Darvish P

Pirates

Newman SS, Frazier 2B, Reynolds LF, Bell 1B, Andujar 3B, Polanco RF, Zimmer CF, Stallings C, Brault 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.