Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds simulated game, Monday 6/1, 3 p.m. CT

Series like this — that start on a Thursday (or Friday) and end on a Monday used to be called “wraparound” series because they “wrap around” a weekend, whereas most series end on Sundays. You see far fewer of these now because of the interleague schedule and 15-team leagues. The reason for this one is a two-game set upcoming with the Orioles, squished in between a pair of four-game sets vs. the Reds.

Just a bit of baseball trivia.

Willson Contreras’ eighth-inning homer gave the simCubs a 5-4 win Sunday. They’ve got a chance for another series win today. Here are other highlights from Sunday:

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 61 of the 2020 season, Cubs vs. Reds at Wrigley Field, the last of a four-game series. The Cubs enter today with a 41-19 record. The Reds are 33-26.

Yu Darvish will start for the Cubs. Tyler Mahle will start for the Reds.

Today’s lineups:

Cubs

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

Reds

Castellanos RF, Winker LF, Votto 1B, Suarez 3B, Moustakas 2B, Barnhart C, Galvis SS, Senzel CF, Mahle 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.