Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds simulated game, Friday 6/5, 3 p.m. CT

We had a bit of fun Thursday.

By mistake, Wrigley Field was chosen for Thursday’s sim game even though it was a simCubs scheduled road game.

The simCubs rose to the challenge. Kyle Schwarber smacked a grand slam in the first inning, the simCubs eventually held a 6-1 lead, but had to get Craig Kimbrel in the game with the bases loaded and nobody out in the bottom of the ninth. Two runs scored, both charged to Dan Winkler, but the simCubs held on for a 6-4 win over the simReds.

Thus they are 1-0 all-time in road games at Wrigley Field! Here are highlights:

Here’s an interview that Duane did with our simCubs manager Brandon Palmer. Within that link are the league standings and N.L. leaders entering Friday’s games.

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 65 of the 2020 season, Cubs vs. Reds at Great American Ballpark, the second of a four-game series. The Cubs enter today with a 45-19 record. The Reds are 35-28. The Cubs lead the N.L. Central by 9½ games.

Tyler Chatwood will start for the Cubs. Anthony DeSclafani will start for the Reds.

Today’s lineups:

Cubs

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

Reds

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