Yankees 2020 so far: BR OOTP 21 Sim

Brendan Smith

Despite the current suspension of all sports, Yankees fans can still root for their favorite team (sort of). Baseball Reference is running a day-by-day simulation of the 2020 season using Out Of the Park Baseball (OOTP) 21. OOTP is a popular online simulation-based game where players can manage their favorite MLB teams, along with teams from numerous independent and foreign leagues.

Through April 7, the Yankees are atop the AL East Standings with an 8-3 record. The team's offense, led by Giancarlo Stanton's six home runs, is scorching hot. Miguel Andujar leads the team with a .379 batting average.

On the mound, prized offseason addition Gerrit Cole has failed to live up to the hype, registering a 4.58 ERA in 19.2 innings, but has struck out 30 batters without surrendering a walk so far. Surprisingly, JA Happ has led the pitching staff through the early portion of the season, pitching to a sparkling 1.98 ERA in 13.2 innings.

In a somewhat surprising move, the team designated backup catcher Kyle Higashioka for assignment on April 1, opting to have veteran Erik Kratz backup Gary Sanchez. Higashioka is known more for his power than defense, while Kratz fits the typical mold of defensive-minded backup.

The season began with a four-game winning streak for New York, sweeping Baltimore and winning the first contest against Tampa Bay. After losing the next two in Tampa Bay, the Yankees returned home and promptly swept the Toronto Blue Jays before splitting the first two games in their second series against Baltimore.

The BR OOTP simulation provides daily updates and box scores.