Fansided

Our sim using OOTP 19 says the Chicago Cubs are winning the World Series in 2018

ByNick Tylwalk|
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs (R) and Kris Bryant #17 celebrate their win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 17, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 4-3. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs (R) and Kris Bryant #17 celebrate their win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 17, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 4-3. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
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GOODYEAR, AZ – FEBRUARY 23: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians bats in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds during a Spring Training Game at Goodyear Ballpark on February 23, 2018 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)
GOODYEAR, AZ – FEBRUARY 23: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians bats in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds during a Spring Training Game at Goodyear Ballpark on February 23, 2018 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

AL statistical leaders

Batting average

  1. Jose Ramirez, CLE, .349
  2. Jose Altuve, HOU, .336
  3. Mookie Betts, BOS, .331
  4. Whit Merrifield, KC, .329
  5. Austin Hays, BAL, .316

Home runs

  1. Giancarlo Stanton, NYY, 50
  2. Manny Machado, BAL, 44
  3. Rafael Devers, BOS, 43
  4. Josh Donaldson, TOR, 43
  5. Mike Trout, LAA, 43

RBI

  1. Rafael Devers, BOS, 123
  2. Jose Ramirez, CLE, 120
  3. Carlos Correa, HOU, 117
  4. Manny Machado, BAL, 116
  5. Francisco Lindor, CLE, 110

OPS

  1. Jose Ramirez, CLE, 1.021
  2. Mike Trout, LAA, .980
  3. Giancarlo Stanton, NYY, .970
  4. Rafael Devers, BOS, .935
  5. Manny Machado, BAL, .911

WAR

  1. Francisco Lindor, CLE, 9.9
  2. Jose Ramirez, CLE, 9.4
  3. Mookie Betts, BOS, 7.8
  4. Byron Buxton, MIN, 7.3
  5. Jose Altuve, HOU, 7.2

ERA

  1. Chris Sale, BOS, 2.72
  2. Corey Kluber, CLE, 2.94
  3. Erasmo Ramirez, SEA, 3.04
  4. Luis Sevrino, NYY, 3.06
  5. Josh Tomlin, CLE, 3.20

Wins

  1. Chris Sale, BOS, 21
  2. Corey Kluber, CLE, 18
  3. Trevor Bauer, CLE, 17
  4. Dallas Keuchel, HOU, 17
  5. Eduardo Rodriguez, BOS, 15

Saves

  1. Craig Kimbrel, BOS, 45
  2. Edwin Diaz, SEA, 40
  3. Ken Giles, HOU, 39
  4. Andrew Miller, CLE, 37
  5. Aroldis Chapman, NYY, 34

Strikeouts

  1. Luis Severino, NYY, 271
  2. Corey Kluber, CLE, 248
  3. James Paxton, SEA, 226
  4. Chris Sale, BOS, 223
  5. Danny Salazar, CLE, 213

WHIP

  1. Chris Sale, BOS, 0.98
  2. Josh Tomlin, CLE, 0.99
  3. Carlos Carrasco, CLE, 1.01
  4. Luis Severino, NYY, 1.02
  5. Erasmo Ramirez, SEA, 1.06

What about …

  • Aaron Judge? The sim saw him only third on the Yankees in homers, but still sending 39 out of the park. He hit only .243, though, while striking out exactly 200 times in 136 games. Still, an OPS of .870 was nothing to sneeze at, he just was overshadowed by Stanton.
  • Shohei Ohtani? Just like the Angels say they will do in real life, the sim Angels mostly pitched Ohtani but also used him at DH as well. He hit pretty well, all things considered, batting .260 with 13 HR in 210 plate appearances. On the mound, Ohtani started 25 games and was 8-4 with a 3.87 ERA over 123.1 IP. He walked 43 while striking out 129 and gave up 14 HR.