The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-09


he had to make up others have better
chances OF ultimate triumph. New York
is still well in front with little to worry
over as yet. ST. Louis has been near tho
top all the way. In a position free from
worry. and ain admirable one from which
The odds favor both New Yorx and 81.
Louis over Boston. Stallings 10 likely tn
heat the Cubs. ODay's team doesn't look
much better than II did as an early dis
appointment.
The case Of Chicago to-day may be
that OF Boston two or three weeks hence.
The Cubs shot up like a meteor from near
the bottom into second place. Two weeks
ago they were In position to wrest the
lead from the Giants by sweeping horu~
series away from McGraw. They have
lost practically no ground to the Giants
since coming east but they certainly
have overlooked many bright opportuni-
ties They didn't have the punch to go
out and win when the Giants were losing.
Hersog did his part by taking four out
OF Ave games from the champions, but
all that time O'Day's men were fritterins
away their golden opportunities Chicago
has what should be a pretty soft berth
In Brooklyn now while the Giants and
Cardinals are playing cutthroat. but the
Dodgers have generally played their very
best brand OF baseball against the Cubs.
O'Day's best opening was spoiled through
his failure TO strike while the Giants wers
faltering as the result OF mediocre pitch
ing
McGraw's Giants have been through
three campaigns and realize fully what 10
means to be backed up against wall.
They have shown repeatedly this season
that the-old punch is there when calamity
threatens. The team 10 not ~ good as
II was year AFRO, but neither are the
Cubs, Philles AID Pirates, who furnished
the stiffest opposition then.
, st. Louis and Boston are the dark
horses most likely 10 slip by u the Polo
Grounders are TO be caught at the finish.
! OF these two. ST. Louis rates higher. Hug
Gins has a we'll balanced team, ore that
plays smart baseball all the time. He
| has good pitching 10 supplement his de-
| fence. His big test oomes right In New
| York at this time. IL the Giants brush
/ him out OF their path nov Higgins IL not
! likely to become dangerous again this
season.
New York's main failing this season
has been faulty boxmen. Al Demaree,
last seasons sensation. has been OF no
value Tesreau has been guilty Of tenn
| porary lapses. while Vanguard has been
/ affiicted with an unusual amount Of III
ness But for Mathewson's wonderful
| year. one OF the very best he ever en-
| joyed. New York now would be some
But McC;raw has his Mathew son. and
| TO long as the old Master maintains his
present cunning the champions will con-
tinue to be foe worthy OF any chal-
llenger McGraw's cause has Frightened
! some, too, as the result of the recent I'M
provement NJ Mauuard and Tesreau.
with these two veterans normal, Big SIX
would he able to crowd through to VIC
tory. This IL a potent week for the
Giants, who encounter both the Cardinals
and the Braves. Marquard and Tesreau
will simply have to he good.
Connie Macks Athletics are pretty well
assured OF the lions share OF this falls
classic prize money. The champions have
torn through the West at breakueck speed
scattreing all their early challegners right
and left. Soon the team returns to Shibs
Park for long stay. ON Its own ground
Nack's machine Is practically invinclble.
His sluggers are not likely to lose any OF
their present advantage at hoiSe. Their
lead seems safe enough to carry tee team
successfully through the West the last
time.
Boston Washington and Detroit cannot
be counted out OF the race Just yet, but
II is only matter of time unless some-
thing diSarrangos the present driving
power OF the American L-"gue champions.
For the first time this season Mack Is
getting some real pitching from the
younger element Of his staff. With fa!r
pitching he can beat anything In the land
stretch Of 1874 games.