Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies simulated game, Monday 6/8, 3 p.m. CT

The simCubs are on a roll that has them one game better than the 2016 real-life Cubs after 67 games (48-19 as opposed to 47-20). The real-life 2016 Cubs went 5-15 right after that, so our simCubs could do even better!

Sunday, the simCubs broke a tie with a Jason Kipnis homer in the 11th for their ninth straight win. Highlights:

As is our custom here at the beginning of each new series, we present league standings and leaders. Here are the standings:

N.L. leaders:

A.L. leaders:

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 68 of the 2020 season, Cubs vs. Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, the first of a three-game series. The Cubs enter today with a 48-19 record. The Phillies are 30-34.

Ryan Yarbrough will start for the Cubs. JoJo Romero, a lefthander just up from Triple-A, will start for the Phillies.

Today’s lineups:

Cubs

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

Phillies

Segura 3B, McCutchen LF, Harper RF, Hoskins 1B, Gregorius SS, Realmuto C, Haseley CF, Kingery 2B, Romero 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.