Complex sentence: The Dodgers chose Ralph Branca to pitch the first game in the series, while the Cardinals originally could not decide between pitchers Howie Pollet and Murry Dickson, before deciding on Pollet.
Split into simpler sentences: The Dodgers chose Ralph Branca to pitch the first game in the series. The Cardinals debated starting either Howie Pollet or Murry Dickson, before deciding on Pollet.