The Alaska daily empire., 1917-10-04
Brief Analysis of the Work of All Men in Both Depart
 ments of Both Teams.
CHICAGO NEEDS SCHALK
Injury to Veteran Catcher in the Early States of Series
 Would Be Fatal.

No single factor has a greater bearing upon the outcome of a Worlds Series than the pitching staff of the two teams involved. This is an accepted axiom of pro- fessional baseball which is particu- larly true of the two clubs which are scheduled to begin their battle for the premier honors of the dia- mond on Saturday.
 While neither the New York Ma tionals nor the Chicago Americans quite equal the machine-like per lection in balance and play which has distinguished several preceding combinations in the series, they are, nevertheless, strong aggregations which appear to be evenly matched. Under these circumstances any edge or advantage which may develop is likely to appear in the work of the hurling forces.
 So far as numerical strength is concerned there is little if any choice as both the White Sox and the Giants have seven twirlers who have worked in the box with req sonable frequency during the sea- son. The records show that Man ager Rowland sent Danforth into 46 games; Cicotte into A, Faber 35, Russell 33, Williams 39, Benz IF and Scott "A. Wolfgang, although rated as a pitcher, has done but ,lr mound inst opposing teams, having been used to pitch to his teammates during prac- tice.
 For the New York Nationals De- maree has figured in 34 games, in cluding his Chicago National 1917 record; Anderson 33, Schupp 32, Perrit 31, Sallee 29, Benton and Tesreau 28 each. It will be seen from the foregoing figures that the Giants have shifted their hurlers more frequently than the White Sox, but the results do not appear to indicate that this had any out standing effect upon their winning ability In the matter of right and left-hand twirlers the situation is again stalemate for each club carries and uses four right hand delivery boxmen and three portside or southpaw pitchers.
 How these right and left handlers will fare against bat wielders is problematical. Eddie Collins, Wea- yer and Jackson have all shown ability to hit portside pitching which they and other members of the White Sox team are likely to face in a majority of the games if McGraw's plans do not miscarry Felsch is another Chicago player who has shown that left handlers have no terrors for him. The team batting average against portside hurting is close to .260 which ap- pears to give them an advantage over the Giants in this respect
 The New York players, however, believe that they will face Cicotte and Faber, both right ha1ders, more frequently than the White Sox southpaws For this reason they are particularly interested in the delivery of these two pitchers es- pecially the so-called 'shine ball" of Cicotte. There is a wide differ ence of opinion among even the American League batters regarding the methods or means by which Cicotte gets the wierd curves and breaks which has made his deliv- cry so effective this season. It is certain that the Giants will scru- tinize both the ball and breaks with extraordinary care in the coming contests. Faber's moist ball" de- livery is also certain to bother the New York batters especially if the pitcher can maintain control. Rus sell and Danforth are the formidable left handlers likely to be used against the McGrawites.
 The Giants strongest box quartet will probably be composed of Sallee, Schupp and Benton. all left handlers, with Perritt the leading right hand CT. Anderson, Tesreau and Dem aree will form the second string and any one of this trio may prove unexpectedly effective under cer- tain weather and sky conditions. It will be seen, however, that the Giants leading boxmen are south paws and if the records are correct the White Sox will not be so handi- capped before this form of delivery as would appear to be the general impression
 So far as other departments of play, in which the pitchers are con cerned, there does not appear to be any great advantage one way or the other. In batting and fielding there is little margin on either side.