Simulated Season: Tampa Bay Rays beat Yankees 7-2 behind Charlie Morton

The Tampa Bay Rays sweep the New York Yankees in Baseball-Reference’s simulated season.

In Baseball-Reference’s simulated season using OOTP 20, the second-place Tampa Bay Rays took on the AL East-leading New York Yankees today.

The simulation of the season that could have been, continues as the Rays attempt to gain ground in the division. Their starting pitching has been lackluster to this point based on pre-season expectations. Morton came into the game with a 3-5 record and a 6.33 ERA.

He looked to right the ship against the Yankees and lefty starter J.A. Happ (4-2).

In today’s fictional game Jose Martinez and Mike Zunino both went deep off of J.A. Happ. Zunino hit his third homer of the season in the third with Jose Martinez also hitting his third dinger in the same inning.

Manuel Margot got the start in CF with the lefty on the mound, giving Kevin Kiermaier a much-needed rest. Margot led off for the Rays, earning one hit and driving in a run. Then, in the top of the ninth, Giancarlo Stanton led off with a 93.1 MPH drive into centerfield, he thought he could stretch it into a double but Margot was having none of that as he fired a laser beam accurate enough to nail a womp rat.

The Rays put together seven runs on 13 hits with Brandon Lowe adding to his an RBI to his team-leading 29. Lowe has been the standout offensive player thus far with 8 HR and a .340 average.

Happ lasted just five and a third innings for the Yankees, giving up six earned runs and raising his ERA to 4.55 on the season.

Morton, on the other hand, went seven strong innings with 10 strikeouts and allowing just one walk and two earned. Anthony Banda and Colin Poche finished off the eighth and ninth innings.

The Rays have cut the Yankees lead to just six games after the series sweep.

Tomorrow they square off against the Baltimore Orioles (16-27). Judging by their record, they are due for several consecutive losses. Tyler Glasnow (1-4) will square off against Aaron Sanchez (0-4).