The Washington times., 1912-05-06
Today's Probable Lineup
WASHINGTON. PHILADELPHIA.
BY SENATOR"

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, May 6.-Since
their notable climb from last place to
within striking distance Of the league
leaders, the Nationals have become i'm
bued with a remarkable confidence.
They now believe that, with even
breaks in the luck, they will alone and
single-hande ed tumble the Chicago White
Sox from the top of the list before the
week is out
The boys are watching closely the
work Of the Western teams against
Chicago, and most of them think that
II Is up to Washington to start the
soapsuds chute for the leaders.
Looks to me-" said Manager Grif-
nth today on the train from Washing
ton, "as II those other clubs in the
West were just a little too weak to
drag down the Sox. Callahan's team
has been greatly assisted by good pitch
Ing but whenever the breaks came, they
Always came their way, never the way
OF their opponents.
Il was hoping that the Maps would
have trimmed them yesterday, making
our own task just 80 much lighter. But,
as 1t is now, it will bring us all the
more credit If we shake them out OF
nrst place all by ourselves. Were goins
to try 1t, anyway"
Has Good Opportunity.
AS the White Sox are not performing
today, the Nationals have a splendid
opportunity to crawl ZIP on them. n
victory here against the champions
: today will bring Griffith's Climbers UT
to .647. making 1t possible for them
to dislodge the leaders from their lofty
perch, but only by sweeping the boards
The Naplanders' failure yesterday COM
pels the Nationals to win every one OF
the four games here from the White
Sox. By winning three of the games
In the series opening at Florida avenue
tomorrow, the Nationals will have a per
centage Of $50, with the Sox leading
them by two points. Four victories will
put Griffith's Climbers at the head OF
the procession.
Walter Johnson Is being groomed fol
tomorrow's opening clash with the in
vaders, and 1t is more than likely that
Big Ed Walsh. the famous spltbal
hurler, will be opposed to him. T1i.
should be the greatest pitching duel q
the season to date, even better than the
Ford-Bender battle here q week or 81
ago. Griffith is confident that johnson
will win. thus giving his team mates
heert to go out after the $, cDnd gam,
Wednesday.
Will Use Best Material.
Johnson, Groom, Hughes, Akers, o
Becker. with Dixie Walker a posi-
bility, are expected to twirl agains
the leaders this week. If Hughes re
ports himself ready. he is a certaint
In one of the games Becker has a
, excellent "hance of working in one o
the games because he began his b'
league career against the White So
last year with victory.
Beginning tomorrow all games at tn
Florida avenue park will commence n
I O'Clock. Griffith is yielding to the de
mands of many fans In thus goin
back to the old starting time, and wi
continue it, unless there is an eve
greater demand for the earlier star
, lie saws he doesn't care himself. on
way or the Other, but wants to pleas
the greatest number OF fans.
The Chicago White Sox come here
Philadelphia for four games 6fte
concluding their contests with til
Climbers, and then go to Boston fc
four more. Thus the leaders must pla
twelve hard games before landing
Kew York. Here again the schedule
rude to the SoX, for against the veal
est team In the league they have onl
! three games. None but a fanatic e.
Iects to see the White SoX return hon
In ficst place.