Major League Baseball was supposed to launch the 2020 regular season 11 weeks ago, on March 26. The spread of the novel coronavirus, however, forced MLB to delay Opening Day to some unknowable future date that is dependent on the effectiveness of the containment strategies imposed across the country in recent months and how negotiations go between the players union and the league.
Because we could all use a distraction these days, we've decided to pass time by simulating the season on "Out of the Park Baseball 21." Along the way, we'll be providing updates on what's happening in our fictional league, similar to what we did on Opening Day.
With that in mind, here are the would-be standings and five developments to be mindful of from the week that was (and wasn't).
1. Astros continue surge
The Astros had spent much of the season in last place in the American League West. That's no longer the case. Rather, the Astros have climbed to third behind a 14-game winning streak. The Astros still rank 10th in the AL in runs scored and 11th in bullpen ERA, but their rotation has picked up the slack. Jose Urquidy (2.67) and Justin Verlander (3.14) have led the way, while Lance McCullers Jr., Garrett Richards, and Zack Greinke each have ERA between 4.00 and 4.10. That'll work.
2. Mets claim NL's worst record
Thanks to a five-game losing streak, and a stretch that has left them 2-8 over their last 10 games, the Mets now have the worst record in the National League. The Mets rank 14th in the NL in runs scored, batting average, on-base percentage, and 13th in a number of other important categories. They also rank poorly as a rotation, as a bullpen, and as a defense. No member of New York's rotation has an ERA lower than 4.00, and only four regulars have on-base percentages over .300. The Mets can at least take solace in knowing they have a better record than the Tigers and the Orioles. For now, anyway.
3. Judge to miss more than a month
New York's other team received some bad news this week as well. Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge will miss five weeks due to bone marrow edema in his wrist. Judge suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch. On the season, he's hit .218/.368/.381 with 11 home runs. The Yankees have shuffled their lineup to replace Judge: Giancarlo Stanton will slide to right field, with Miguel Andujar taking over at DH, and Kaleb Cowart joining the club as its new third baseman.
4. Foltynewicz out for season
The Braves have a sizable lead in the NL East, but if they're going to maintain it they'll have to do so without right-handed starter Mike Foltynewicz. That's because he'll miss the rest of the season due to a bone spur in his elbow. Foltynewicz had been a bright spot for Atlanta: in 14 starts, he'd compiled a 2.28 ERA and 29 more strikeouts than walks over 83 innings. The Braves have moved Touki Toussaint into the vacated rotation spot.
5. Baez first to five WAR
The Cubs are close to last place as they are third in the NL Central, but it's not because of anything Javier Baez has done wrong. Indeed, Baez has been arguably the best player in the game, and this week he became the first position player to top 5 Wins Above Replacement on the season. Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer (4.2 WAR) leads pitchers.
Hitting performance of the week
Jose Iglesias has made a career out of playing a good shortstop. This week, however, his bat earns him some recognition. Iglesias went 5 for 5 as part of an Orioles victory against the Twins. He singled in the third, in the fifth, in the seventh, in the ninth, and in the 11th. Yes, five singles in five trips to the plate. He's now hitting .295/.336/.406 on the season.
Pitching performance of the week
We covered the Astros above, but we're double-dipping here thanks to a stellar outing by Jose Urquidy. Urquidy shut out the Rangers, throwing eight scoreless innings over which he sprinkled five hits and no walks. He did strike out nine batters. He now has a 2.67 ERA and 63 more strikeouts than walks in 81 innings this year.
