The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-01
CAUSE OF ODDS
 AGAINST GIANTS
Smoky Joe Wood the Reason
 For the Wagering
THE RED SOx'S CHANGES
Conservative Betting Men Say
 It's Even Money

Careful research into public ori7tor reveals the fact that one Joe Wood
 has been the chief cause for odde be-
 ing laid against the Giants in 4hs
 coming frolic with the Boston Red
 Sox- It seems to be the general be-
 lief that Smoky Joe looms up as the
 dark and forbidding cloud that v-ili
 scatter disasteT iu the ranks of the
 Polo GroUnders. For the benefit or
 the fans who are about to put the
 prlce Of their oYercoa,ts oG the Giants
 VIII release ray of hope that prob
 coatless winter. for the Giants have
 one grand little chance in the worid,s
 series despite odds and opinion and
 Among conservative betting men
 "ao pave approached the situation without prejudice. the sentiment pre- Valls that the odds asainst the Giants are uncalled for and that the worlds series. as the clubs now stand offers
 nothing better than even money betting proposition. It is quite like ly that when the clubs close in on each other week from today at the Polo Grounds it will be q difficult matter to get odds either way. you want to lay your money
 Tue mere presence Of Jce Wood on the Red Sox lineup has iTlflueRo the belief that the Giants cannot win the series Joe is being counted on to rzc in single handed and sweep the dec3rs with McGraw's minions. There iB no
 
 CT and his performances through tine season justify confidence in him, but 1t will require Joe Wood plus consid- erable of something else to take Sour gnaes from the National League champions.
 It has been one Of the peculiar uast that the wildly heralded starr upon whom so much confidence was placed have never shone out when tho frolic got under way It has usuaIis- ma mt ed r4ra ing in there at all that has come ' through with the big punch at tte went into the series between Pitts burg and Detroit almost an unknown and became a hero in a week. Huos Marquard, after making a brilliant finish in the National League last year, carried the hopes Of many fans as he ushered himself into the fray with the Athletics, but he failed to deliver the necessary victory Ty Cobb. after leading the American League in batting, hit something un- der 200 when he went into the classic
 If precedent means anything it will be Bedient, Collins Hall or O'Brien who will probably come through with the best game against the Giants in stead of Wood, who is expected to do so much. Public opinion, which ie almost invariably wrong on big events betting men will follow in placing money on McGraw's men.
 Another phase of the situation is formed largely on the showing the Giants made in midseason. As Mo Graw's men played in the first three few who would not make them ia vorites against any club in the coun- try. Their chances in the coming series have depended a great deal or what shape the club was in when it went to the barrier, and the last few days have proven that the Giants are back in something like the form they were when they were sweeping ev- srything before them. Their fielding has been brilliant and their attack has been hard and consistent.
 A . comparison made Of the clubs. nan for man. shows that the edge the Giant. infield has on the inner de -age Boston has in it's outheld- The 1iapts are better hitting team by a ,air margin. and that brings the ar slYnent back to the pitchers. where, lily be fought out.
 Woods speed which has carried him 'o successfully through the season in ais own league, is his main stock ln de although he also makes handy lse of the spitbau and has a varied assortment of curves. But speed ig lie asset. and it has been proved all through the past season that speed vas the thing the Giants take with 4Iexander and other opponents of the asst ones have been easy for the champions compared to the hurlern vho have tossed up the easy. tantali1- ng ball Such men as Meyers, Doyle md Merkle like fast ball, and the aster. the better, for it goes further then they hit it. But they break heir backs reaching for the slow ones uch as Lew Richie selves them It 5 for this reason that Wood may not e as effective against McGraW Q t ttlssn 6 some of the lesser lights on Stahle taff who may toss up the slow but eceptive benders and humble tnT lUrRers