Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-13
EAST VS. WEST.
Prospects of To-Day's Interesting Games in
the Eastern Cities.

Prospects of To-Day's Interesting Games in
the Eastern Cities.
To-day the Western clubs of the National
League will face their Eastern opponents
for the first time this season. Undoubtedly
the resultsof the contests will be antici-
pated with the greatest possible interest
among both Eastern and Western enthusi-
asts of the national game. So far we have had
no idea as to the comparative merits of the
East and West this season, and only face to
face contests will give us any idea of their COM
parative worth. Certainly to-day's games will
not even give us sufficient data to arrive at any
conclusions regarding the East and West
worth holding One swallow does not make
summer and one defeat or victory in base
ball does not prove which is the better team.
The Eastern series as a whole, however. will
go long way toward showing what the West
is compared with the East. But in this con-
nection it must not be forgotten that the
Western fellows are tackling their Eastern op-
ponents on the latter's own grounds.
A GREAT ADVANTAGE.
This is a great advantage, and it means that
even after the present series is over absolute
Judgment ought to be withheld until the East
erners have been with US for series.
Pittsburg, of course, meets the powerful
Bostons to-day, and there are many things to
be regretted. The most important is the poor
condition of the Pittsburg pitchers. Had
Conway and Calvin been in frst-class shape it
would have looked like a certainty for the
home club to quit at least even with the Bos-
tons. So far the Pittsburgs have been knock
ing the ball around little more lively than
have the City OF Culture men, and it is a fact
that has been demonstrated already that Clark
son and Radbourne, two of Boston's leading
pitchers are no terrors 60 PIttsburg. If they
turn out to be SO this season it will, indeed, be
a great surprise to almost every League city. =
Staley will likely be in the box for Pitts
burg's representatives, but il is difficult to tell
who will represent the Bostons. Staley GER
tainly has done remarkably well this season;
indeed, but for his surprising efforts the club
might have been crowding Washington hard
for last place. But good as Harry is, ne mas
not vet, attained that judgment and steady
effectiveness that Conway and Calvin possess.
The absence of Calvin and the indisposition of
Conway, therefore, prompt the statement that
if Pittsburg is beaten she is not vanQuished
while at her best
WHAT WILL THE BABIES DO?
There is another club whose appearance in
rhe Eastern cities will be watched with exceed
ing interest. That is the Cleyelands. The Ba-
bies are to tackle the Giants; that their first
essay will, no doubt, be very tough one. They
may have Tim Keefe to face to-day. If not
to-day, they will certainly face him before they
get out of New York, providing the weather is
fine. At any rate if they do not meet Keefe,
they will face some very dangerous pitchers.
However, as a BABY Cleveland will take care
of itself and If it is thumped. it will rebel in
very demonstrative way.
We may expect to see a rattling game, or
three or four of them, between Chicago and
Philadelphia. 1t looks as if the Phillies are in
better shape at present than Chicago. The
pitching power of the Phillies is remarkably
strong while that of Chicago is not compare
lively weak, while the infield of the latter is
also shaky. However, Anson is always a hard
man to beat.
The Eoosiers ought to beat the Senators, but
the former are almost as unreliable as the Sem
ators themselves.
There is one thing. however, which must be a
qualification TO all, viz, the increased populari
ty of the game in the East. Judging from the
attendance at the various Eastern cities since
the season opened the financial prospects of
the Western clubs are encouraging. If good
playing all round can be maintained the crowds
are sure TO increase.