Simulating the Dodgers’ 2020 season: Game 36 vs. Cubs

This is the 28th installment of an ongoing series, where my dad and I will simulate each game on the Dodgers schedule until real Dodger baseball returns. Catch up on the rest of the series here! Thanks all for the comments and support!

Welcome back! Last time out, we clinched a series win against the Cubs with a 9-3 victory. This time, we’ll be looking for the sweep as Alex Wood (4-1, 1.86 ERA) takes on Jon Lester (4-2, 3.15 ERA).

Watch it here or scroll below to find out what happened. If you want to be notified when we go live with future simulations and chime in with your live feedback and/or input on managerial decisions, follow me on Twitch!

The Cubs jumped out to an early lead against Wood, as Kris Bryant hit a two-run home run in the top of the first, scoring Ian Happ and giving the Cubs a 2-0 lead they would not relinquish. The Cubs made it 3-0 in the third on a home run by Happ, and 4-0 in the fifth on an RBI single by Anthony Rizzo.

The Dodgers were able to get hits off Lester, but weren’t able to muster any runs off the Cubs’ starter. He finished the game with 5 ²⁄₃ innings pitched, with seven hits allowed and one walk but no runs given up.

With reliever Kyle Crockett in the game, Kiké Hernández and Mookie Betts hit back-to-back home runs to lead off the seventh, making it 4-2. In the bottom of the ninth, Justin Turner hit a solo shot of his own to make it 4-3, but it was too little, too late, as Chris Taylor grounded out to end the game.

One note: Cody Bellinger sprained his ankle while making a diving play in center field, and will miss a week while he recovers. Some combination of Chris Taylor, A.J. Pollock and Hernández will spell for him until he gets healthy.

Here’s the box score:

With the loss, we’re now a half-game behind the Diamondbacks in the NL West race, and 2 ¹⁄₂ games ahead of the Padres in the Wild Card standings.

Next time: we look for revenge against the Padres, starting with Walker Buehler (1-4, 2.87 ERA) against Mackenzie Gore (1-1, 1.88 ERA). See you then!