What looked to be the perfect homecoming was becoming a forgettable weekend for the virtual Cubs in our 2020 simulation of the season on MLB The Show 20.

Riding high after winning the first four series of the year and jumping out to a 10-3 record, the Cubs were returning to Wrigley Field to play the 1-12 Cardinals, looking to assert dominance over their rival. The weekend went the other way, dropping the first two games to the Redbirds and looking at Sunday’s simulation as a way to salvage a win ahead of an off day.

A patient offense and a fine outing from Kyle Hendricks helped the Cubs avoid a sweep, beating the Cardinals 6-1.

Hendricks showed his moxie in helping the Cubs hit the road with at least one win against St. Louis. After surrendering an RBI double to Paul Goldschmidt in the top of the 3rd, Hendricks got Matt Carpenter to ground out to strand runners at second and third.

Then, the Cubs slugging offense came through.

In the bottom of the 4th, Kyle Schwarber tied the game at 1 with a solo home run to left, his 5th homer of the virtual season.

The Cubs continued their offensive prowess against Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty.

Jason Heyward and Steven Souza Jr. went back-to-back with solo home runs in the bottom of the 5th to give the Cubs the lead for good. The Cubs are tied for second in the league with 29 team home runs. The Minnesota Twins lead MLB with 32.

Souza Jr. was given the start over Ian Happ, who has been struggling recently, while Victor Caratini and David Bote started over Willson Contreras and Jason Kipnis, respectively, to give them rest.  

The Cubs showed they could score in other ways, too, mainly by waiting for the right pitch. In the 7th inning, the Cubs hitters weren’t afraid to take more than a few pitches, which led to 4 straight walks and a 4-1 lead. Then, Kris Bryant singled and Anthony Rizzo hit a sacrifice fly to make it 6-1.

Cubs pitchers closed the door from there. Hendricks went 7 innings, striking out 7, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and walking 1. The Cubs lead MLB in team ERA, with a 2.33 overall mark, ahead of the Dodgers (2.65).

The bullpen, which surrendered the lead in Saturday’s loss to the Cardinals, bounced back to seal the deal. Jeremy Jeffress pitched a scoreless 8th inning and Brad Wieck pitched a scoreless 9th.

After Monday’s off day, the Cubs hit the road to face the Orioles for a two-game series. The Cubs still hold a 2.5-game lead in the division over the Reds and Brewers who sit at 8-7. The Cardinals are 8 games back of the Cubs in the NL Central.

Here’s how the teams lined up:

Cubs

Kris Bryant – 3B
Anthony Rizzo – 1B
Javy Báez – SS
Kyle Schwarber – LF
Victor Caratini – C
Jason Heyward – RF
Steven Souza Jr. – CF
David Bote – 2B
Kyle Hendricks– P

Cardinals

Kolten Wong – 2B
Dexter Fowler – RF
Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
Matt Carpenter – 3B
Paul DeJong – SS
Yadier Molina – C
Tyler O’Neill – LF
Lane Thomas – CF
Jack Flaherty – P

Catch the full game here:

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