Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

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Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

September 25-27: ARIZONA (90-72) @ COLORADO (87-75)

September 25: DBacks 6, Rockies 4
September 26: DBacks 9, Rockies 8
September 27: Rockies 9, DBacks 8 (11)

The DBacks took two of three in Colorado to get to 90 wins and clinch a Wild Card spot. The won the first two and dropped the finale in extra innings in a meaningless game.

In the opener, the DBacks once again rallied late to pull out a 6-4 victory and eliminate the Rockies from any post-season hopes. Kole Calhoun hit a pinch-hit three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to help the DBack to the win, their 14th win in their last 17 games.

The win, combined with the Atlanta loss puts the DBacks up by one game with two games remaining for the final NL Wild Card spot. They remain tied with St Louis, who defeated the Cubs 12-5.

In this one, the Rockies grabbed a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning on a Tony Wolters RBI infield single.

Arizona would tie it up in the eighth inning on a Ketel Marte RBI double. Kole Calhoun then delivered in the ninth with the hit of the game, the three-run home run.

Archie Bradley worked the bottom of the ninth and picked up his 38th save, despite allowing a solo home run to Trevor Story.

Madison Bumgarner had to leave the game in the sixth inning with shoulder tightness. His status is unknown.

On Saturday evening, the DBacks clinched a Wild Card berth with a thrilling 9-8 victory over the Rockies in a typical Coors Field game. Starling Marte homered twice and drove in five runs to help lead the DBacks back into the post season.

This game went back and forth with the DBacks grabbing the lead in the first inning when Ketel Marte led the game off with a solo home run.

The Rockies would go up 3-1 in the second inning when Trevor Story hit a three run blast off of Joel Payamps.

Kole Calhoun homered in the third. Starling Marte then tripled home Ildemaro Vargas and Dalton Varsho in the fourth to give Arizona a 4-3 lead. Starling Marte would add a two run home run in the top of the sixth inning. Kole Calhoun would ground out to third in the seventh, allowing David Peralta to score as Arizona went up 7-3.

Junior Guerra came on in relief of starter Joel Payamps and struck out Ryan McMahon with the bases loaded to end the sixth. He would work a scoreless seventh before giving way to Chad Roe. Roe struggled. The Rockies would score four times in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at 7-7. Trevor Story had an RBI double and Ryan McMahon added an sacrifice fly. Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon would add RBI doubles to tie the game before Stefan Crichton struck out David Dahl to end the inning.

Starling Marte then homered to open the ninth off of Yency Almonte. Josh Rojas and David Peralta hit back to back doubles to put the DBacks up by two.

But closing it out wasn’t easy. Archie Bradley came on and Daniel Murphy doubled to center to open the inning. Sam Hilliard doubled him home to cut the lead to 9-8. Bradley got Butera to pop out. Troy Wolters bounced out to first and then Bradley struck out Trevor Story to end the game and pick up his 39th save and the DBacks 90th win.

The DBacks dropped the finale in another wild Coors Field shootout 9-8 in extra innings. Tony Wolters RBI single with the bases loaded sent the fans home happy.

The Rockies hit five home runs in the game including two from Charlie Blackmon as he went 3 for 6 with three runs scored and two RBI.

Jake Lamb went 3 for 5 with a double, triple and home run while driving in two. Eduardo Escobar won the National League batting title as he went 2 for 5 with a double and home run. His two RBI gave him 99 on the season.

The DBacks will host the NL Wild Card game but first St Louis and Atlanta will play a one game playoff as both teams finished the season (89-73).

Kole Calhoun sends one into the night at Coors Field.

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Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

September 28: ST LOUIS (89-74) @ ATLANTA (90-73)

September 28: Braves 4, Cardinals 3

The Atlanta Braves won the one game National League playoff to see who would face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Wild Card game. Johan Camargo hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Atlanta the late lead and they would hold on for the 4-3 victory over St Louis. Former Diamondback Paul Goldschmidt went 2 for 4 with an RBI single for the Cardinals in the loss.

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Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

MLB STANDINGS
(END OF REGULAR SEASON)



AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS:
BATTING AVERAGE: George Springer (Houston) .331
HOME RUNS: Anthony Rendon (Los Angeles) 50
RBI: Mike Trout (Los Angeles) 121
STOLEN BASES: Mallex Smith (Seattle) 49
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Mike Trout (Los Angeles) .652
OPS: Mike Trout (Los Angeles) 1.059
WINS: Shane Bieber (Texas) 17
SAVES: Roberto Osuna (Houston) 46
ERA: Yonny Chirinos (Tampa Bay) 3.02
STRIKEOUTS: Garrit Cole (New York) 256



NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS:
BATTING AVERAGE: Eduardo Escobar (Arizona) .330
HOME RUNS: Nolan Arenado (Colorado), Cody Bellinger (LA) 47
RBI: Cody Bellinger (Los Angeles) 149
STOLEN BASES: Jorrod Dyson (Miami) 42
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Eduardo Escobar (Arizona) .656
OPS: Eduardo Escobar (Arizona) 1.021
WINS: Aaron Nola (Philadelphia) 17
SAVES: Kenley Jansen (Los Angeles) 50
ERA: Madison Bumgarner (Arizona) 2.65
STRIKEOUTS: Max Scherzer (Washington) 256

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

ARIZONA STATS
(END OF REGULAR SEASON)

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Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom



The 2020 Playoffs are here! The American League Wild Card features the Boston Red Sox facing the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City. The National League Wild Card will see the Atlanta Braves travel to Phoenix to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The American League Wild Card winner will then move on to face Cleveland while the National League Wild Card winner will take on Philadelphia. The Yankees and A’s will meet in the Divisional Round as well as the Dodgers facing the Cubs.

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Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD: ATLANTA @ ARIZONA

September 30: DBacks 4, Braves 1

Phoenix, AZ (AP) – The Arizona Diamondbacks shook off a shaky start from Zac Gallen, then rallied for a 4-1 victory in the National League Wild Card game at Chase Field on Wednesday evening. Archie Bradley shut the door in the ninth striking out the side to send Arizona on to Philadelphia.

The Braves could not take advantage of all sorts of early opportunities in this one. They left two on in the first, scored once in the second but left the bases loaded, and then left then loaded again in the third. Zac Gallen went five plus innings and only allowed one run, but did allow 10 hits and only struck out two.

Hector Rondon came on in the sixth with two on and none out. He walked one to load the bases but he too got out of the jam. Junior Guerra, Yoan Lopez and Archie Bradley shut the Braves down over the final three innings.

Arizona would tie the game in the fourth on an RBI double from Eduardo Escobar. They would take the lead in the sixth on a David Peralta RBI double. Kole Calhoun then grounded out to first, allowing Ketel Marte to score to make it 3-1. Carson Kelly would add some insurance in the seventh with an RBI single that score Ildemaro Vargas.

The win sends the DBacks to Philadelphia for the five game Divisional series that will begin on Friday night. Madison Bumgarner is scheduled to face National League win leader Aaron Nola.

In the American League Wild Card game, the Boston Red Sox advanced with a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Caleb Smith allowed just one hit over 7 1/3 innings to pick up the win. Mitch Moreland hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth to give Boston the lead that they would not relinquish.

The Red Sox will now face Cleveland in the Divisional series that begins on Saturday.

Archie Bradley struck out the side in the ninth to seal it.

[johnstone1987]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

Win the Wildcard Game and now you're against the Phillies. Jesus.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

NLDS: ARIZONA vs. PHILADELPHIA
(Philadelphia wins series 3-2)

October 2: DBacks 5, Phillies 4 (10)
October 3: Phillies 2, DBacks 1
October 5: Phillies 5, DBacks 3
October 6: DBacks 9, Phillies 1
October 8: Phillies 2, DBacks 0

The Philadelphia Phillies advanced to the NLCS in dramatic fashion as Bryce Harper hit a walk off two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth in game five to win the game and series.

The DBacks took the opener over the Phillies 5-4 in extra innings in a game that had all the drama. Christian Walker hit a solo home run in the tenth to allow Arizona to take game one.

Carson Kelly gave Arizona the early 1-0 lead with an RBI single off of Aaron Nola. Madison Bumgarner would make it 2-0 in the fourth with an RBI double down into the right field corner to score Jake Lamb.

That lead was short lived though as the Phillies got two back in the bottom half of the fourth. Jean Segura scored the first run for the Phillies on an RBI ground out from Rhys Hoskins. Didi Gregorius then lined a two-out RBI single to tie the ballgame.

It would stay that way into the eighth, as both starters were gone. Starling Marte lined a two-run double to right with the bases loaded to put Arizona up 4-2.

Adam Haseley would get one back in the bottom half, homering to right off of Yoan Lopez. Then in the ninth with Archie Bradley in to try and close it out, Didi Gregorius hit a solo home run to right on a 1-2 count with two outs. He hit a hanging curveball into the right field seats to send Citizens Bank Park into a frenzy, tying the game at 4-4.

But Christian Walker led off the tenth with a solo home run to left off of Jose Alvarez to put Arizona back in front. Kevin Ginkel would come on and get the final three outs to secure the victory and put Arizona up in the series. Archie Bradley was saddled with the blown save but picked up the win. Madison Bumgarner was fantastic, going seven innings and allowing two runs on four hits while striking out five.

In game two, the Phillies won a pitchers duel 2-1. Zack Wheeler was almost unhittable, setting down the first 15 batters and going 8 2/3 innings to pick up the win.

The Phillies would get all the offense that they would need in the fifth off of Jon Duplantier. Zack Wheeler would score the game’s first run. After singling and advancing to third on a Jean Segura double, he would score on an Adam Haseley ground out. Bryce Harper then smashed a double off the wall in right to score Segura to make it 2-0.

Zack Wheeler cruised into the ninth, allowing just two hits through eight innings, but he ran out of gas. After getting the first two outs, Ketel Marte lined a double to left center. David Peralta then followed that with an RBI single and Wheeler’s night was over. Daulton Varsho came on to run for Peralta and advanced to third on a Kole Calhoun single off of Phillies closer Neris. Eduardo Escobar came to the plate with a chance to tie the game and he hit a rocket, but right at second baseman Scott Kingery and he flipped it to first to end the ballgame and even the series at 1-1.

The series shifted back to Phoenix and the Phillies rallied late for a stunning 5-3 victory. The Phillies put four runs on the board in the top of the ninth to erase a two run deficit and take a two games to one series lead.

Arizona broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning when Eduardo Escobar lined a two-run double to left center.

The game would remain that way until the ninth. Archie Bradley came on a dished up a solo home run to Bryce Harper to start the inning, and it didn’t get much better from there. Rhys Hoskins singled to right. Did Gregorius singled to right and manager Torey Lovullo went to the bullpen. Kevin Ginkel came on and gave up a single to J.T. Realmuto to tie the game at 3-3. After getting Scott Kingery to bounce into a fielders choice and Andrew McCutchen to strike out, it looked like Ginkel may work out of the jam, but pinch hitter Deivy Grullon blooped a double down the right field line with two strikes, that scored both Gregorius and Kingery to make it 5-4.

Hector Neris came on for the Phillies and sent down the DBacks in order to pick up the save and give the Phillies a commanding two games to one lead in this best of five series.

The DBacks wasted a nice pitching performance from Corbin Martin. He allowed just one run on three hits in six plus innings. He struck out five and walked two.

With their back up against the wall the DBacks sent Zac Gallen to the bump and he did not disappoint, tossing six solid innings as the DBacks evened the series with a 9-1 victory. Gallen allowed one run over the six innings allowing six hits, while striking out nine. His last out he struck out Bryce Harper with the bases loaded.

Arizona jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to RBI singles from Kole Calhoun and Ketel Marte. Calhoun singled home David Peralta in the third to extend the lead to 3-0.

The Phillies would finally get on the board in the fifth as Andrew McCutchen grounded a ball through the infield to score J.T. Realmuto. But Zac Gallen brought his “A” game Tuesday evening, and that is all that he would allow.

The DBacks would give him a huge cushion late as they score five times in the bottom half of the sixth inning. The DBacks hit four doubles in the inning to blow open a close one. The bullpen did the rest as they shut down the Phillies and forced a Game 5 on Thursday evening in Philadelphia.

Merrill Kelly pitched two scoreless innings in relief. The former starter was been relegated to mop up duty over the last month and a half with the emergence of Corbin Martin and Joel Payamps.

David Peralta and Kole Calhoun both broke out of mini slumps as Peralta went 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI, while Calhoun went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBI.

The finale was a pitchers duel between Madison Bumgarner and Jake Arrietta. Both guys were dealing and neither offense could get into a groove. Bumgarner was forced to leave the game in the sixth with back stiffness, but he allowed only three hits and struck out five.

Arrieta went seven innings for the Phillies, allowing three hits while walking one and striking out two. Austin Davis worked the eighth and ninth to pick up the win.

This one was tied heading into the bottom of the ninth and Torey Lovullo went with Yoan Lopez over Archie Bradley, who has been struggling lately. Lopez gave up a single to Roman Quinn to open the inning. Then served up a meatball that Bryce Harper hit into the second deck in a no doubt walk off series winner. Harper had only been hitting .179 in the series and was striking out at an alarming rate, but he unloaded and his hit sends the Phillies into the NLCS where they will face the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The DBacks season ends abruptly but it was a pretty good year, rallying late to capture the a berth in the NL Wild Card where they defeated the Braves. They just ran into a very good Phillies squad in the NLDS.

Bryce Harper came through when it mattered the most.

ALDS: Boston vs Cleveland
(Boston wins series 3-0)

October 3: Red Sox 5, Indians 2
October 4: Red Sox 11, Indians 6
October 6: Red Sox 9, Indians 7

ALDS: Oakland vs. New York
(Oakland wins series 3-1)

October 3: Athletics 5, Yankees 1
October 4: Yankees 10, Athletics 1
October 6: Athletics 4, Yankees 3
October 7: Athletics 13, Yankees 9

NLDS: Los Angeles vs. Chicago
(Los Angeles wins series 3-0)

October 2: Dodgers 5, Cubs 4
October 3: Dodgers 2, Cubs 0
October 5: Dodgers 5, Cubs 1

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

NLCS: LOS ANGELES vs. PHILADELPHIA
(Los Angeles wins series 4-3)

October 10: Dodgers 7, Phillies 5
October 11: Dodgers 5, Phillies 1
October 13: Phillies 5, Dodgers 0
October 14: Dodgers 7, Phillies 3
October 15: Phillies 6, Dodgers 3
October 17: Phillies 8, Dodgers 5
October 18: Dodgers 5, Phillies 4

ALCS: BOSTON vs. OAKLAND
(Oakland wins series 4-2)

October 11: Athletics 3, Red Sox 2
October 12: Athletics 3, Red Sox 2
October 14: Red Sox 7, Athletics 3
October 15: Athletics 9, Red Sox 3
October 16: Red Sox 5, Athletics 1
October 18: Athletics 6, Red Sox 4

WORLD SERIES: OAKLAND vs. LOS ANGELES
(Los Angeles wins series 4-0)

October 22: Dodgers 11, Athletics 10 (13)
October 23: Dodgers 3, Athletics 1
October 25: Dodgers 8, Athletics 4
October 26: Dodgers 5, Athletics 3

WORLD SERIES MVP: Will Smith, C (Los Angeles)
POSTSEASON MVP: Mookie Betts, RF (Los Angeles)

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

2020 AWARDS:

MVP:
American League: Anthony Rendon 3B (Los Angeles) .309, 50 HR, 120 RBI
National League: Cody Bellinger CF (Los Angeles) .295, 47 HR, 149 RBI

CY YOUNG:
American League: Shane Bieber (Texas) (17-9) 3.23 ERA 196 SO
National League: Aaron Nola (Philadelphia) (17-10) 3.86 ERA, 211 SO

BATTING TITLE:
American League: George Springer CF (Houston) .331, 32 HR, 117 RBI
National League: Eduardo Escobar 3B (Arizona) .330, 42 HR, 99 RBI

RELIEVER OF THE YEAR:
American League: Hansel Robles (Los Angeles) 42 SV, 1.80 ERA, 67 SO
National League: Kirby Yates (San Diego) 45 SV, 1.08 ERA, 58 SO

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
American League: Yoshimoto Tsutsugo DH (Tampa Bay) .281, 28 HR, 58 RBI
National League: Carter Kieboom 3B (Washington) .267, 18 HR, 77 RBI

HANK AARON AWARD:
American League: Mike Trout CF (Los Angeles) .319, 42 HR, 121 RBI
National League: Eduardo Escobar (Arizona) .330 42 HR, 99 RBI

GOLDEN GLOVES:
National League:
Pitcher: Walker Buehler (San Diego) FLD 1.000, PO 20, A 14
Catcher: Wilson Ramos (New York) FLD .998, PO 1257, A 117
First Baseman: Freddie Freeman (Atlanta) FLD .994, 1126 PO, 102 A
Second Baseman: Ozzie Albes (Atlanta) FLD .992, 236 PO 350 A
Third Baseman: Kris Bryant (Chicago) FLD .984, 61 PO, 178 A
Shortstop: Miguel Rojas (Miami) FLD .992, 204 PO, 396 A
Left Field: David Peralta (Arizona) FLD 1.000, 271 PO, 7 A
Center Field: Victor Robles (Washington) FLD .994, 331 PO, 24 A
Right Field: Mookie Betts (Los Angeles) FLD 1.000, 291 PO, 18 A

American League:
Pitcher: Adam Putko (Cleveland) FLD 1.000, 20 PO, 11 A
Catcher: Gary Sanchez (New York) FLD 1.000, 1434 PO, 76 A
First Baseman: Renato Nunez (Baltimore) FLD .991, 659 PO, 78 A
Second Baseman: D.J. Lemahieu (New York) FLD .993, 196 PO, 377 A
Third Baseman: Matt Chapman (Oakland) FLD .996, 59 PO, 191 A
Shortstop: Jose Iglesias (Blatimore) FLD .993, 194 PO, 395 A
Left Field: Anthony Santander (Blatimore) FLD .987, 217 PO, 8 A
Center Field: Randal Grichuk (Toronto) FLD .997, 335 PO, 16 A
Right Field: Alex Verdugo (Boston) FLD .992, 227 PO, 19 A

SILVER SLUGGER:
National League:
Pitcher: Miles Mikolas (St Louis) .211, 5 HR, 8 RBI
Catcher: J.T. Realmuto (Philadelphia) .247, 23 HR, 82 RBI
First Baseman: Paul Goldschmidt (St Louis) .286, 46 HR, 133 RBI
Second Baseman: Scott Kingery (Philadelphia) .296, 29 HR 105 RBI
Third Baseman: Eduardo Escobar (Arizona) .330, 42 HR, 99 RBI
Shortstop: Trevor Story (Colorado) .288, 40 HR, 101 RBI
Outfield: Cody Bellinger (Los Angeles) .296, 47 HR, 149 RBI
Outfield: Mookie Betts (Los Angeles) .310, 45 HR, 110 RBI
Outfield: Ronald Acuna Jr (Atlanta) .263, 41 HR, 110 BRI

American League:
Designated Hitter: J.D. Martinez (Boston) .292, 34 HR, 98 RBI
Catcher: Gary Sanchez (New York) .224, 31 HR, 81 RBI
First Baseman: Jose Abreu (Chicago) .273, 37 HR, 94 RBI
Second Baseman: Jonathan Schoop (Detroit) .246, 36 HR, 89 RBI
Third Baseman: Anthony Rendon (Los Angeles) .309, 50 HR, 120 RBI
Shortstop: Francisco Lindor (Cleveland) .275, 42 HR, 119 RBI
Outfield: Mike Trout (Los Angeles) .319, 42 HR, 121 RBI
Outfield: George Springer (Houston) .331, 32 HR, 117 RBI
Outfield: Khris Davis (Oakland) .266, 37 HR, 100 RBI

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

2021 Season

I have never done this before with the MLB The Show series. I usually play one season and then play a new season when the next version comes out. I am currently still looking for a PS5, so in the meantime, I have decided to move forward with this franchise into season two.

I have simulated most of the offseason and spring training and I will try to provide a rather brief summary as to what went down this offseason and give a quick preview of the 2021 season.

The Diamondbacks made one trade this offseason, acquiring first baseman Daniel Vogelbach from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitcher Merrill Kelly and catching prospect Andy Yerzy.

They made a couple of free agent acquisitions to help bolster an already solid roster. Homer Bailey signed a one year deal with the club just before spring training for $1.5M. He is likely a long relief arm in the bullpen and can be used as a starter in a pinch. He will start the season as the DBacks fifth starter with Corbin Martin and Jon Duplantier beginning the season in Triple-A.

David Phelps was signed as a free agent from the Milwaukee Brewers on a one year deal for $256k. He made 6 1appearances for the Brewers in 2020 with a 2-8 record and an ERA of 6.87

Outfielder Cameron Maybin was signed as a free agent from the Tigers. The 33-year-old still has speed and adds another piece to the DBacks outfield. To make room for him Josh Rojas and Tim Locastro will start the year in Reno. Locastro is coming off of an Achilles injury that ended his 2020 campaign.

Here is a look at the DBacks:

Starting Rotation:
Zac Gallen, 25 YO, 83 OVR
Luke Weaver, 27 YO, 83 OVR
Madison Bumgarner, 31 YO, 84 OVR
Joel Payamps, 26 YO, 83 OVR
Homer Bailey, 34 YO, 71 OVR

Bullpen:
David Phelps, 34 YO, 66 OVR
Chaz Roe, 34 YO, 79 OVR
Yoan Lopez, 28 YO, 74 OVR
Hector Rondon, 33 YO, 75 OVR
Junior Guerra, 36 YO, 72 OVR
Kevin Ginkel, 27 YO, 81 OVR
Stefan Crichton, 29 YO, 80 OVR
Archie Bradley, 28 YO, 83 OVR

Projected Lineup vs Righties:
1. Starling Marte, CF, 32 YO, 89 OVR
2. David Peralta, LF, 33 YO, 86 OVR
3. Ketel Marte, 2B, 27 YO, 98 OVR
4. Eduardo Escobar, 3B, 32 YO, 96 OVR
5. Daniel Vogelbach, 1B, 28 YO, 79 OVR
6. Kole Calhoun, RF, 33 YO, 82 OVR
7. Nick Ahmed, SS, 31 YO, 87 OVR
8. Carson Kelly, C, 26 YO, 88 OVR

Projected Lineup vs. Lefties:
1. Starling Marte, CF, 32 YO, 89 OVR
2. David Peralta, LF, 33 YO, 86 OVR
3. Ketel Marte, 2B, 27 YO, 98 OVR
4. Eduardo Escobar, 3B, 32 YO, 96 OVR
5. Nick Ahmed, SS, 31 YO, 87 OVR
6. Christian Walker, 1B, 30 YO, 78 OVR
7. Carson Kelly, C, 26 YO, 88 OVR
8. Kole Calhoun, RF, 33 YO, 82 OVR

There were a bunch of moves around baseball this offseason. Some of the bigger ones were the Dodgers signing 37-year-old free agent Charlie Morton away from Tampa Bay. Justin Turner left the World Champs and heads east to Boston where he signed a one-year deal for $12.7M.

National League Cy Young winner Aaron Nola was traded to the Red Sox in exchange for centerfielder Jackie Bradley JR and starter Nathan Eovaldi.

The Yankees were active, overpaying for talent, as per usual. They snagged 34-year-old closer Kirby Yates from the Padres on a four-year deal worth $47M. Reliever Liam Hendricks was signed away from the A’s on a four-year deal worth $52M. Shortstop Didi Gregorius leaves the Phillies and heads to the Bronx on a monster, 4-year, $68M deal.

The Rays snagged Cubs closer Pedro Strop on a one-year deal for $3.3M.

The White Sox signed Mets free agent pitcher Marcus Stroman to a three-year, $20M deal.

The Indians acquired Cardinals closer Giovanny Gallegos in exchange for closer Brad Hand.

The Blue Jays sent starter Hyun-Jin Ryu to the Royals in exchange for second baseman Mauricio Dubon and third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez.

Centerfielder George Springer leaves the Astros and heads north to Minnesota where he signed a five-year deal with the Twins worth $87M. The Twins also added shortstop Jose Iglesias from the Orioles on a three-year deal worth $18.5M.

The A’s tried to replace Liam Hendricks with Brandon Workman from Boston. He was signed on a two-year deal for $19M. They also added Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland on a one-year deal for $4.7M.

The Mariners singed Mets first baseman Pete Alonso for $883K, which likely led to the trade of Vogelbach to the DBacks.

The Rangers signed former World Champion Joc Pederson to a four-year deal worth $62M. They also added another former Dodger, who finished 2020 in San Diego in outfielder Kiki Hernandez on a two-year deal for $15.8M.

The other New York team, the Mets, signed the top free agent prize of 2021. They landed Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo on a five-year deal worth in excess of $118M. The picked up Tigers second baseman Jonathan Schoop on a three-year deal worth $20M also. For a team that finished last overall in 2020, this team is stacked talent wise and should have a big turnaround in 2021.

The Cubs replaced their lost closer with one from the Pirates as they signed 27-year-old Keone Kela to a four-year $44M deal. At first base, they replaced Anthony Rizzo with Tigers first baseman C.J. Cron on a three-year deal foro $23M. They also added slugger Ryan Braun on a one-year deal.

The Rockies added catcher Kurt Suzuki from the Nationals on a one-year deal worth $6M.

Here is a look at the preseason outlook for 2021:
AL East:
1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Baltimore Orioles

AL Central:
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Cleveland Indians
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Detroit Tigers

AL West:
1. Houston Astros
2. Los Angeles Angels
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Texas Rangers
5. Seattle Mariners

AL Wild Cards: Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians
AL Divisional Series Winners: New York Yankees, Houston Astros
AL Champion: New York Yankees

NL East:
1. New York Mets
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Washington Nationals
4. Philadelphia Phillies
5. Miami Marlins

NL Central:
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. St Louis Cardinals
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Pittsburgh Pirates

NL West:
1. Arizona Diamondbacks
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. San Diego Padres
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Francisco Giants

NL Wild Cards: Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers
NL Divisional Series Winners: Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets
NL Champion: New York Mets
World Champions: New York Yankees

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

2021 SCHEDULE

The Diamondbacks open the 2021 schedule against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers with a four game series in Los Angeles. They will play the Dodgers 10 times in the first 18 games of the season. They will end the season with a six game home stand against the Rockies and Giants, ending on Sunday September 26th.

Some other highlights to the schedule include a trip to New York to take on the Mets the first weekend in May. The Mets are the favorites to win the National League after finishing in last place in 2020. The DBacks will host the Mets just three weeks later at Chase Field.

Their American League cross over games are against the Central Division and the Seattle Mariners.

Arizona closes the first half of the season with four games at Cincinnati, a team expected to contend for a Wild Card spot in 2021. They will open the second half against the Phillies, whom they faced in the 2020 NLDS and the Braves, whom they defeated in the Wild Card and is expected to challenge the Mets in the National League East in 2021.

Paul Goldschmidt and the Cardinals will visit Chase Field September 6-8.

[johnstone1987]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

Rough Series loss man giving up a Game Winner to Harper.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

Rough Series loss man giving up a Game Winner to Harper.

For sure. We had Harper's number the entire series.....until it mattered.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Los DBacks - An MLB 20 Franchise Presented by BigJDotCom

MARCH 25-28: ARIZONA (2-2) @ LOS ANGELES (2-2)

March 25: Dodgers 3, DBacks 2
March 26: Dodgers 9, DBacks 8
March 27: DBacks 7, Dodgers 2
March 28: DBacks 5, Dodgers 4

The Arizona Diamondbacks opened the 2021 season by splitting a four game series with the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in LA. The could/should have taken 3 for 4, but getting out of town with a split in Los Angeles is a decent start to the 2021 campaign.

In the season opener, the Dodgers pulled out a 3-2 victory thanks to some late inning heroics from Max Muncy. He singled to center, scoring David Fletcher with what proved to be the game winning run.

This one was a pitchers duel from the start with Zac Gallen battling Clayton Kershaw. Gallen went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, while striking out three. Kershaw wetn 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with two strikeouts.

The Dodgers scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Chris Taylor got the Dodgers on the board in the fifth with an RBI double. Cody Bellinger hit a solo home run to right in the sixth to make it 2-0.

Arizona would respond though, scoring twice in the top of the seventh. Eduardo Escobar tripled to open the inning and scored on a Nick Ahmed sacrifice fly. Carson Kelly then homered to right center, tying the ballgame.

Stefan Crighton came on in relief for Arizona in the eighth, and immediately gave up a single to David Fletcher. He advanced on a Cody Bellinger ground out and score on Muncy’s single back up the middle.

Kenley Jansen came on and sent down the DBacks in order in the ninth to earn the save.

On Friday evening, the DBacks blew an 8-1 lead and lost 9-8. Jurickson Profar hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh off of Yoan Lopez to put the Dodgers ahead for good.

Arizona jumped on new Dodger prize Charlie Morton early. Eduardo Escobar homered off of Morton in the second to tie the game at 1-1. Escobar would add a two run double in the third to give Arizona the lead. Newcomer Daniel Vogelbach then doubled home Escobar to make it 4-1. Luke Weaver would drive in a run in the fourth to put the DBacks up by four.

Kole Calhoun and Nick Ahmed hit back-to-back home runs off of Chris Archer in the sixth, and Starling Marte would add an RBI single to make it 8-1 and it appeared as though the DBacks would cruise to victory.

But the Dodgers got to Weaver in the sixth and feasted on the DBacks bullpen. Jurickson Profar got it started with a two-run triple and he would score on a Will Smith RBI double to cut the lead to 8-4.

In the seventh, Cody Bellinger hit a two-run home run off of Hector Rendon to cut the lead to 8-6. Max Muncy followed that with a single and A.J. Pollock lined a double to chase Rendon from the game. Cory Seager would ground out to score Muncy to cut the lead to 8-7 off of Yoan Lopez. Jurickson Profar then delivered the big blow, hitting a Lopez fastball into the seats in right center to give LA the lead.

Kenley Jansen was called on in the ninth to shut the door, and after giving up a one out single to Ketel Marte, he got David Peralta to bounce into a 1-6-3 double play to end the ball game.

Both teams hit three home runs in the game. Jurickson Profar had the biggest night for the Dodgers, going 3 for 4 with a triple, home run and four RBI.

The DBacks broke into the win column on Saturday evening as they defeated the Dodgers 7-2 behind a nice pitching performance from Madison Bumgarner. MadBum went 7 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out seven and walking just one.

Arizona grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the second inning on a Kole Calhoun RBI triple and a Carson Kelly RBI single.

The Dodgers would get their only run off of Madison Bumgarner in the bottom of the second as A.J. Pollock, the former DBack, homered to left.

Arizona would add single runs in the third and fourth on RBI singles from Eduardo Escobar and Carson Kelly. In the sixth, Escobar and newcomer Daniel Vogelbach would hit back-to-back home runs off of reliever Ross Stripling to make it 6-1.

Kole Calhoun would add an RBI ground out in the eighth. The Dodgers would scrape one across in the ninth off of Kevin Ginkel on a Jurickson Profar RBI double.

Chris Paddack took the loss for Los Angeles, allowing four earned runs on seven hits in five innings of work.

In the finale, the DBacks jumped out to a 5-1 lead, then had to sweat out another late Dodgers rally to win it 5-4. Daulton Varsho homered twice and drove in three runs in his first start in 2021.

Varsho homered in the fourth to tie the ballgame. Then added a two run shot in the sixth off of Dylan Florio. Kole Calhoun would add a two-run pinch-hit double later in the inning as Arizona built a 5-1 lead.

Yoan Lopez came on in the eighth and he imploded again, this time giving up a two-run home run to David Fletcher with two outs in the inning. He then served up a home run to Cody Bellinger to cut the DBacks lead to 5-4. Stefan Crichton came on to get the DBacks out of the eighth and Archie Bradley worked the ninth to pick up his first save.

David Phelps picked up the win for Arizona out of the bullpen. He came on in the second inning after Joel Payamps left with an apparent abdominal injury.

The DBacks (2-2) will now travel to Denver to take on the Rockies (1-2) in a three game series to close out their opening road trip.

Cody Bellinger went deep in the opener to send the Dodgers to a victory.