The Washington times., 1916-05-09
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.
Game at $3.50 o'clock.

Today comes the first clash between
West and East in the American
League. some decided changes are ex-
expected to take place in the stand
ing before the seaboard clubs hike
to the Western half of the wheel
CHANGING over the season to date, II
may be easily seen that the Cleveland
Indians have gained their present
high rank at the expense OF the Chi
eago White sox. Out OF eight con-
tests between them. the Indians have
Won seven.
sThe Tigers have shown a biz more
strei.g 9Th against the Indians. winning
three out of their eight games, hut
the Brownies broke even. each team
Tho Griffmen managed to race to the
front-for . day or so because OF their
three straight victories here over the
yorid's champion Red sox. The Griffs
games so far this season and five
Dimes have the Hub lads been defeated.
Against the Yankees and the Mack
men the best the a5lSfs ; ,su,;t. 10 was
divided six games with both the
yanks and Macks.
On the face Of the figures. Cleve-
isnS stronss; an sIus n the W ,S;rS
The White Sox have won Ave on: OF
seven games from the brownies.
The Eastern clubs seem fairly well
matched. What the Griffmsn have
by their failure to do much TO the
Yankees or Mackmen.
with the present invasion under way
Il would appear as il the 0riffmen had
q slight advantage over the Indians for
the opening week. While the Griffmen
are playing the Brownies and Tigers,
the Indians will be battling the Red
rules exist In baseball. Few believed
that the Mackmen would take two out
pt three games from the Griffmen, but
thsy did. hammering Walter Johnson
However. according to the dope, the
Srfnmen should regain their former
proud first position before meeting the
indians here next week. The edge will
tec and TIGERS. Jennings pitching stan
y extremely weak, and Il will hardly
Pc much stronger inside OF week.
Manager Griffith had his squad out
for Ions batting practice today. Fur
thermore. these drills will be the pro-
gram Tor the rest of the home teams
stay here. The Old Fox Is peeved more
than a little to see the bottom drop out
of his hitting. and means to overcome
this Weakness as soon as possible.
While the Grinmen were hitting the
Dali, particularly IN the pinche5, they
looked like possible champions. Interest
in the team began to seethe. But the
work OF the players In Philadelphia
showed such weakness that the fans
may lose heart. The fans want hitting,
II they get It, they will enthuse. II
they don't, they won't. That's tho
whole question In small space.
saHn Cuttings. the Washington boy
sent TO Newark, will get his trial in the
International League against Buffalo
this week.
Buck Herzog plans releasing McKen-
cry. pitcher. and HUM. catcher. IN a
Few days.
Walter johnson 10 expected to pitch
rhe finai game against st. Louis.
-
The Brownies, opening the spring in
wasion here today. feel sure that they
kstil finish In the first division, though
khey are now camped just half a game
ahead OF the cellar berth.
Efelder Jones has a capable corps of
pitchers, and. II their past records are
worth anything, he has good batsmen
IN 6isler, Shotton and Pratt. However,
mis- catching stan 10 said to be only
mediocre. and St. Louis writer's blame
the catchers for many OF the teams re-
rant dAfaafA