Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-08-02
CRUCIAL TEST FOR
BASEBALL LEADERS
Trips Of the Athletics and
ChiCagOS Will Show Their
MettIe
BOTH HAVE GOOD
WORKING MARGINS

Despite the efforts of the other
clubs. Chicago and the Athletics con-
tinue to dominate the pennant races
in the two major leagues. and al
though the former has a slightly in
creased percentage over a week ago
and the latter has dropped OFF some,
both have comfortable working mar
gins. This has largely been due to
the fact that the leaders have been
playing at home, but with the shift
10 hostile diamonds beginning today
there is a likelihood of the other
clubs still in the running making
substantial gains. Whether these will
be sufficient to threaten the positions
of the leading clubs is a question,
judging from the gait they are go
ing at the present time; but the
chances are that before the inter-
sectional series are over both races
will become decidedly more interest
ing.
The present trip of the leaders
should be of value in determining
Just what their chances for the pen
nant are, as il is the last long trip
they will have TO make, the remain
ing one being only three games in
each city. Chicago should make the
better showing, as the Eastern clubs
are not of sufficient strength to wor-
ry the leaders much. while that of
the Athletics promises TO be more
strenuous, inasmuch as Detroit and
Cleveland are two distinctly hard
propositions. Nevertheless, much will
depend upon the showing of the clubs
close TO the leaders, though il is
hard to figure out how either lead
er can lose its position as a result
of the present trip. With Chicago "a
points to the good and the Athletics
SO, it is going to take the worst kind
of as lump for either to be dislodg-
ed from its present position.
But it must not be forgotten that
there are other clubs in the race and
that It is possible for at least two
in either organization to land the pen
nant. In the National League New
York is playing a stiff game and
Pittsburg is also coming strong
Eihter one of these is still in the
hunt and capable Of coming under
the wire first. despite the big lead
of Chicago. The American League
contenders are more numerous, as
any one of three clubs outside the
leaders has a chance Of landing the
flag. Boston and New York have
been seesawing for second place and
the result of the recent series slight
ly favored the Highlanders. but now
that it is over both will have a
chance to pick up few points from
the other clubs.
We're everything harmonious in the
Boston team, there is no doubt the
/ Red Sox would be the Athletics CHIEF
contenders. as aside from the pitch.
ing staff the team is one of the besi
balanced in either league from a bat
ting and fielding standpoint. The
White Sox on their recent trip to tina
city seemed to think that Boston hat
the best chance for the pennani
comparing the playing of the Athlet
les and Red SoX against them The
conceded that the Athletics stronges
point was their pitchers, but the
were unanimous I'm the opinion tina
Boston played the better game. Blu
II will not do to yet declare Detroi
out of the race Though the Tiger
are I'm the ruck they are a nerv
bunch and are capable of yet max
ing a Garrison finish, and, If no
capturing their fourth pennant, a
least having a decided voice in it
disposition.