New-York tribune., 1918-07-31
to Meet
Pirates TODAY
In Double Bill
Are Only Three Games
Behind Leading Cubs,
Thanks to Dodgers
By Charles A. Taylor

The rain of yesterday gave John ].
McGraw an opportunity to figure out
lis chances Of bringing another pen
nant to the Polo Grounds. If cham
pionship banner is to fly in Greater
New York this fall, the Giants alone
of the three local teams are in posi-
tion to hoist it.
The Brooklyn Dodgers are nopelssly
out of the race despite the brave fight
Uncle Wilbert Robinson has made since
his team was shattered by the call for
help from Uncle Sam. The pitching
staff that carried the Dodgers through
to the world title in 1915 was robbed
of its ace when jeff Pfcffer answered
the call to the colors.
Leon Cadore, another star twrler,
followed in Jetf's footsteps, and in
fact, every department of the team be-
yond the bridges was weakened be-
cause OF, the Kaser's antics cover
there" Old Jack Coombs was obliged
to fll vacancies in the outfeld when
ne did not occupy the pitching mound.
to fill one of the breaches in the in
field, while Ollie O'Mara was snatched
from the Coast League to guard the
third sack.
Giants Indebted to Robins
And yet it is due to these patched-up
Dodgers that the Giants owe their
chance to win another pennant. Uncle
Wilbert's men put check rein on the
Chicago Cubs just when the McGraw
of q prolonged slump. When John J.
was in the depths these Flatbushers
paid visit to the Windy City, the out
come of which was four straight de-
feats for the Cubs, who saw their lead
OF seven games over the Manhattan
ties cut to four.
McGraw, in his rainyday soliloquy
yesterday, bestowed merited praise on
made 1t possible for the Giants to be
clinging to the heels of the Cubs with
the end Of the season only five weeks
ahead. The Giant manager and Uncle
Wllbert have been pals ever since they
performed together on the diamond as
members Of the famous Orioles. Maybe
the rotund director of the Ebbets nine
doesn't lejoice in the aid he has rem
dered j. j. IN the time of need. There
IS flne outlook for another Giant pen
nant. and Uncle Wibert deserves all
the thanks.
Little Hope for Higgins
ne pfedlcament OF the Yankees is
growing worse and worse. There isn't
one ray of hope for the hirelings of
Colonel Rupert to overcome the nine
game advantage held by the Red Sox
IN the American League flag race. Mil
Ter Huggins collected an array of talent
early IN the season that promised to
capture the big banner. Furthermore,
Hug succeeded in firing his men with
the spirit that fights on, no matter
what the opposing odds might be.
Everything looked fine for the Col
,nel and Miller until two weeks ago.
when "Murderers' Row" quit numbering
the ball and the Yankee pitchers fell
from grace. The uncertainty as to the
future OF the game undoubtedly was
responslhle for the sudden change.
Even the dogged courage and vim Of
Hugglns could not prevail against the
influence of the world series on the
other side of the Big Pond.
SO it is up to McGraw and his Giants
II a pennant is to come to the Metro
polls The Cubs have a lead of only
three games and a double victory for
the local team to-day over the Pirates
you'd mt IN nicely with the plans of
John j. and make it possible for his
men to oust the Chicago ball tossers
from THEN high perch in the series be-
tween the two teams, which opens at
the folo Grounds tomorrow.
Sim Sallee and Cecil Algernon Cau-
sey appear to be the probable selec-
tlons tor box duty in these two games
"hlch Will mean SC much to the pros-
poets of the Giants.