Red Sox Fans Will Love This 'MLB The Show 17' Simulation Up To A Point

The Boston Red Sox should have no problem getting through the postseason in 2017. If you believe video game simulations are a good predictor of real life, that is.

In celebration of the release of “MLB The Show 17,” CBS Sports did a simulation of the entire Major League Baseball season. And not only did the Red Sox wind up with the best record in baseball at 106-56. They earned a trip to the World Series, too.

The run stopped there, though, as the New York Mets won the rematch of the classic 1986 World Series. After crawling out of a wild-card spot to get into the playoffs, the Mets took Game 7 by a score of 7-1 in a battle that had New York starter Steven Matz on the mound against Boston left-hander Drew Pomeranz.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (105-57) and Cleveland Indians (100-62) joined the Red Sox in the 100-win club, while the Oakland Athletics (60-102), Philadelphia Phillies (62-100) and Cincinnati Reds (60-102) all reached 100 losses.

The Red Sox had a starter in the All-Star Game in right fielder Mookie Betts, an AL Cy Young Award winner in Chris Sale and acquired relief pitcher Jason Grilli from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for outfielder Steve Selsky.

The biggest blockbuster trade of the season also was in the AL East, as the sim predicted the Tampa Bay Rays would trade ace Chris Archer to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for second baseman Jonathan Schoop, center fielder Adam Jones and reliever Tyler Clippard.

Of course, a lot of the predictions are pretty over the top, including the fact that three teams finished with 100 wins or more. CBS Sports’ Igor Mello also pointed out that the Kansas City Royals had no All-Star starters, for example, and their fans have been notorious for stuffing the ballot boxes over the past few seasons.

So, the results of the sim should be taken with a grain of salt, even if it is fun for Red Sox fans to imagine their team dominating all season.