The "Out of the Park" video game series has long been recognized for its award-winning simulation engine. It has an impressive track record with short- and long-term prognostications. In the past two years alone, the game has correctly called the World Series participants and eventual winners.
With the 20th entry in the franchise just released, the team behind the game unveiled its official predictions for the 2019 MLB season; they include a team that lost a prominent free agent overcoming the odds to win the World Series.
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One of the biggest stories of the offseason was where Bryce Harper would sign as a free agent. Rather than return to the Washington Nationals, he chose to join the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies on a $13-year, $330 contract. That one transaction could shift the fates for both teams this season, but "Out of the Park Baseball XX" believes Washington will not just overcome the loss of Harper but thrive without him and capture the franchise's first World Series crown, beating the Houston Astros."OOTP's" predictions are based on more than 1,000 season simulations.
Many observers are looking forward to a battle between the Nats and the Harper-led Phillies for the NL East title, but "Out of the Park Baseball" doesn't see the Phillies even making the postseason. The game predicts the team will finish fourth in the five-team division.
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"OOTP" sees Harper putting up a batting line close to .257 with 33 home runs and 96 RBIs. That's nearly identical to his production for the Nationals last season.
It will certainly be a challenge for Washington to come out of the NL against quality division opponents and the likes of the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, and then prevailing over the Astros, Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees — all teams currently perceived as having a better chance to win the World Series.
"OOTP" definitely made an interesting call with the Nats rather settling on a safer choice. There will be no doubting the prediction ability of the video game series should it come to pass.
AL predicted win totals
Boston Red Sox: 100
Houston Astros: 98
New York Yankees: 93
Cleveland Indians: 93
Tampa Bay Rays: 86
Minnesota Twins: 82
Los Angeles Angels: 82
Toronto Blue Jays: 79
Oakland Athletics: 76
Seattle Mariners: 76
Kansas City Royals: 74
Texas Rangers: 74
Detroit Tigers: 69
Chicago White Sox: 64
Baltimore Orioles: 58
NL predicted win totals
Washington Nationals: 96
Los Angeles Dodgers: 95
Atlanta Braves: 89
New York Mets: 89
St. Louis Cardinals: 87
Chicago Cubs: 85
Philadelphia Phillies: 84
Milwaukee Brewers: 83
Arizona Diamondbacks: 81
Colorado Rockies: 80
Cincinnati Reds: 79
San Diego Padres: 78
Pittsburgh Pirates: 76
San Francisco Giants: 71
Miami Marlins: 56
"Out of the Park Baseball XX" is available now for PC and can be purchased through Steam or downloaded directly through the developer's web store.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, hosts the Press Row Podcast and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.