Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-18
STRENUOUS WEEK
| FACING NATIONALS
Both Cleveland and St. Louis
Have Strong Pitching in
Store for Locals.
MITCHELL, A PORTSIDER,
OOPPOSE AYERS TODAY
Races in Two Major Leagues Are at
Present Most Interesting of
Recent Years.
BY J. ED GRILLo.

This is apt to be a strenuous week
for the Nationals. The chances are the
team will be asked to face some de-
cidedly strong pitching in the games
scheduled for this week. Following the
three remaining games with Cleveland
come the ST Louis Browns. Birming
ham has Mitchell, Gregg and HaGer-
man, three mighty good pitchers, to call
on, and it is conceded that the Browns
are well fortified on the rubber. Hickey
has a corps of twirlers who are always
dangerous, and the chances are that
there won't be much hard hitting on
the part of the locals during the series
with the Browns.
But there is hope that Griffith's pitch
ing staff will be fortified during the
week. Boehling is expected TO return
to form. and this will give Griffith at
least five twirlers who can be relied
upon, so that the visiting teams will
not have easy sailing in the matter of
hitting.
Defensively. the Nationals have no
real rival in the league, and of late the
team has been playing up to its stand
ard in every department. except bat
provement in this respect because sew
eral of the recognized hitters are not
up to their mark with the stick, and
their slump is but temporary.
There is a possibility of Jack Bentley
being used in the game this afternoon,
for If Manager Griffith believes in
lunches. he will not work Doc Ayers.
Ayers informed Griffith this morning.
when told he would be expected to pitch
this afternoon, that he would rather be
excused because at no time in his career
had he ever won a game on Monday.
Griffith does not know whether to be in
fiuenced by this coincident or not, but
it will not be surprising If he decided to
send Jack Bentley to the slab and let
Ayers work Tuesday.
Mitchell, who has had the satisfaction
of inflicting a defeat on the Champion
Athletics last week is to do slab duty
for the visitors.
The races in the two major leagues are
the most interesting of recent years at
the present time. Seven of the teams in
each of the two big circuits are within a
week may find a general change Of posi-
ton among them The Nationals are
now in third place, just a game and a
half behind the Athletics and four and
one-half games back Of Detroit. The
locals showing last week was by far
their best of the season, and there is a
chance for them to improve their posi-
ton if the present week finds them in as
Sooo form as they were last.
The surprise Of the National League
appears to be the Cincinnati outfit From
a bad beginning Herzog has his team
going at a fast clip. and 1t is now in
third place and playing consistent ball
The disappointment Of that circuit is
Boston. Stallings team was a sensation
last season. but it has failed to win
more than four games this spring, and
shares the distinction of Cleveland in
holding the last position. Cleveland,
however. is not apt to remain last very
long. Birmingham's team is sure to adj
vance.
Jimmy Austin of the St Louis Browns
enjoys unique distinction. in that he is
the manager of the team Sundays.
Branch Hickey is a churchman and re-
fuses to have anything to do with the
team on the Sabbath, and while he is
laying on Austin is in charge
II Griffith's plans are not upset, Ayers
will pitch today, Shaw tomorrow and
very likely Walter Johnson will be sent
back against the Maps Wednesday. This
would allow Walter three days of rest,
and. incidentally. he would then be due
to pitch the final games of all following
series. condition which Griffith has
been anxious to bring about.