Starved for sports? How about a Giants-Dodgers simulated game?
With flesh-and-blood players unable to take the field during the coronavirus outbreak, NBC Sports Bay Area will attempt to fill part of the void with a computer simulated matchup between the Giants and Dodgers.
But will sports-deprived fans actually be drawn to a fake game? … Even if Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow are on the mic?
We’re about to find out.
The regional sports cable network, in partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment’s “MLB The Show 20,” announced Thursday that it will air the hourlong virtual game at 7 p.m. Friday with Kruk and Kuip providing commentary, along with in-game reporter Amy Gutierrez.
These virtual games are becoming a trend during the pandemic as ballparks and arenas remain empty. Starting Friday, ESPN will air an “NBA 2K” tournament with 16 actual NBA players participating.
As for the baseball game, it will feature a pitching matchup of the Giants’ Jeff Samardzija versus the Dodgers’ Walker Buehler from Oracle Park. The National League West arch-rivals were originally supposed to square off in the Giants’ home opener on April 3.
No word on whether anyone will fake-sing the national anthem.
“Our top priority during these uncertain times is to deliver fun and entertaining content for Giants fans to enjoy while they wait for the season to resume,” said Matt Murphy, senior vice president and general manager of NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California, in a statement. “Hearing Kruk and Kuip’s familiar voices and their witty commentary will brighten the lives of fans by bringing them a sense of normalcy.”
The artificial intelligence gameplay simulation will be conducted through “MLB The Show 20.” Viewers will experience the same video and audio components of MLB The Show 20 gameplay. Additional content surrounding the simulation will be available on NBCSportsBayArea.com and on NBC Sports Bay Area’s social media platforms.