Notes on a simulation sweep, KBO starting up and more

So much for that. We had a 12th seed over a fifth seed in the opening round of the 32-squad MLB Dream Bracket. The fifth-seeded all-time Orioles were swept in four straight games by the No. 12 all-time Houston Astros.

I recently wrote about how this simulation tournament worked here.

So in the simulation, a team of Birds that included Cal Ripken Jr., Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Boog Powell and Jim Palmer didn't win a game. What the heck!

They lost to Houston by scores of 9-3, 2-1, 8-3 and 4-2 in results detailed yesterday. So they were outscored 24-9 as Mike Scott, J.R. Richard, Nolan Ryan and Roy Oswalt combined to pitch to a 2.35 ERA.

I look at that Orioles team and don't see them being held to just nine runs in four games, but the Out of the Park Baseball simulation did and Houston advances to the round of 16.

Korean baseball is returning: An official announcement is expected soon that the Korean Baseball Organization could be returning in early May. The KBO is expected to play a few exhibition games and then open a season that was originally slated to begin March 28.

The KBO may still try to complete its usual 144-game schedule. It could add numerous doubleheaders and begin playing games on Monday, which is normally a league-wide day off.

South Korea has seen a sharp drop in coronavirus cases and this goes along with the government's easing of social distancing guidelines. The clubs are expected to play a brief four-game exhibition schedule against geographically close opponents. The games will begin with no fans at the outset.

Four pitchers that were with the Orioles in recent seasons are currently pitching in the KBO. They included Tyler Wilson, the club's 10th-round pick in 2011 out of the University of Virginia. He pitched in 42 games, making 19 starts with the Orioles between 2015-2017.

Wilson went 14-7 with a 2.92 ERA in 185 innings last season for the LG Twins. He is 23-11 with a 2.99 ERA in two seasons with that KBO club. Aaron Brooks is now with the Kia Tigers, Dan Straily is with the Lotte Giants and Mike Wright is with the NC Dinos.

How about these odds?: The sports odds website BetOnline has listed projected winning percentages for big league teams in the 2020 season. This leads to over-and-under wagers. At 35 percent, the Orioles and Tigers are at the bottom of the list. The Orioles played .333 ball last year going 54-108, while Detroit played .292 ball, going 47-114.

The AL East
New York Yankees - 62.5 percent
Tampa Bay Rays - 56 percent
Boston Red Sox - 52 percent
Toronto Blue Jays - 46.5 percent
Baltimore Orioles - 35 percent

The top teams
Los Angeles Dodgers - 62.5 percent
New York Yankees - 62.5 percent
Houston Astros - 58.5 percent
Minnesota Twins - 57 percent
Atlanta Braves - 56 percent
Tampa Bay Rays - 56 percent
Washington Nationals - 56 percent
Oakland Athletics - 55.5 percent
St. Louis Cardinals - 54 percent

The real heroes: In support of the ongoing efforts to battle COVID-19, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde and executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, in partnership with Baltimore Area Chick-fil-A, on Monday donated 645 meals to employees at Baltimore's MedStar Harbor Hospital. The donation, split to be delivered for the daytime staff members and the night shift workers, provided meals for all employees of the hospital.

During these difficult and uncertain times, the Orioles organization released a statement saying the club is grateful for the dedicated individuals supporting and protecting our community including healthcare workers, first responders, grocery store employees, public servants, and volunteers.

Today, @MElias and Brandon Hyde teamed up with Baltimore area Chick-fil-A restaurants to donate 645 meals to @MedStarHarbor.

The meals covered the entire hospital staff for both lunch and dinner. We're so thankful for our incredible healthcare workers! pic.twitter.com/JO4WUBGh95

-- Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 20, 2020