Evening journal., 1918-09-03
CUBS LOOK GOOD
To Win SERIES
Offensive Power Of Chicago
Nationals Expected to
Garry Them Through
NO MORE BALL
UNTIL AFTER WAR
BY II. G. HAMILTON.

BY III. G.. HAMILTON.
United Press Stan Correspondent.
NEW YORK, sept. 3-The last worlds
series until the war has been won, and
probably the last worlds series the
country ever will witness under present
regulations PROBABLY will be laid away
10 the credit OF the National League.
And. ~ such Is the case. IL will be the
first time in history that a Boston en-
trant IN this annual fall classic OF base
bsll ever was defeated for the worlds
championship.
Tessie and the Boston good luck pin
seem doomed 10 defeat by the Chicago
Cubs.
Comusrisons OF the two clubs leave
only a slight margin OF advantage, but
tie offensive power Of the Cubs over
laps the defense Of the Red Sox 70 such
en- extent that on paper they are the
natural vlctors. OF course, a series
such as the worlds series always turns
out to be is little enough on which to
base final comparisons OF the teams,
but the consistency with which the
Cubs have hammered their way 10 the
TOP. the inside baseball Fred Mitchell
makes his men play, the cleyerness OF
the Cubs pitching stan, and the per
slstently good attack OF the club makes
lt knitted organization that sticks out
over the Red Sox.
Each OF the clubs has had good for
tune throughout the season. Practical
ly the entire lineup with which each
started Is intact. The loss OF Grover
Cleveland Alexander, which WIS ex-
pected 10 knock tho pennant hopes OF
the Cubs into a cooked hat, proved to
be only a slight difficulty. And, aside
from that the loss 10 the Cubs on the
season has been small. Pete kildun
was called into the army, but his place
was more than filed by Rollie Zeider
aud Charley Pick.
The Red SOx suffered a severe blow
when Dutch Leonard and Ernie Shore
were derricked from the club, but Ed
Barrow found in sam Jones and Joe
Bush Two pitchers fully capable OF TAX
ing their places. So good has been this
duo OF pitchers that Babe Ruth hasn't
done his usual share OF the seasons
pitching, but, instead, has been used 10
the Outneld, where his batting could
count for more.
Comparing the inflelds OF the two
clubs gives a wide margin TO the Cubs.
Fred Merkle stands out over Stu1fy Nc
Innis for the first time In the careers
OF the two players. Mclnnis undoubt-
edly Is going back. while new life
seems TO have been Injected into the
veteran Merkle. He Is hitting and held-
ing better than he ever did before. Nc
Innis' hitting has dropped wOefully.
but ne Is still the brilliant snd hesdy
fielder OF yOre. The difference, how
ever, isn't great enough TO place him
In Merkle's class, for Merkle fields well
enough TO be in the front rank and his
hitting Is the point OF his greatest
value.
At second base there Is nothing Of
much importance TO compare. Neither
team has an extraordinary workman In
that spot. Dave Shean Is a fair field
er. but a weak hitter. In spite OF his
work for the Red Sox with the stick.
He never was ablc 10 hit In the Ma
tlOnal League and this fact will count
when he faces National League pitch
ing Rollie Zelder once was one Of the
American Leagues greatest flelders and
he is still something OF star, but his
speed Is desertlng him. Charley Pick
Is a yOungster, a fair hitter and only
a fair fielder.
At shortstop there Is nothing to the
comparison but the Cubs. Charley Hol-
locher Is not only the seasons sensa-
tlon, but he probably Is the greatest
shortslop TO come TO the big leagues
In q decade. Although he Is spending
his first year In major league baseball
he Is hitting well over 800 and his neld-
ing Is nothing short OF marvellous.
Everett Scott, the SOx sh0rtstop, Is
a fine fielder, but an atrociously weak
hitter.
Jack Coffey for the Sox and Charley
Deal for the Cubs compare well. Deal
Is the better hitter, but Coffey Is far
the better fielder and base runner. lie
Is a veteran Of good minor leagues, with
a wealth OF experience which makes
him a most valuable man. He is a
splendid fielder and dangerous but not
as hitter.
Deal is a good fielder and hard hit
ter, His blows. while not many. usual
ly come at Opportune moments and are
of the long variety a great deal OF the
time.
The outfeld gives a slight edge TO
TIE Red SoX, with Strunk. Hooper and
Hooper and Strunk are two
stars Of the game, while Whltemsn is
good enough" in these war times.
The Cubs will depend on Paskert. a
veteran; Flack, a mediocre performer,
and Mann, brilliant player at all
timesl
Vaughn, Tyler and Hendrix, that ster-
ling trio OF fingers which has pitched
the Cubs into a National League
championship, probably Will lift the
club into worlds title. Vaughn and
Tyler are left handlers far above the
average, while Hendrix, burly right !
handler, has had his best year this sea-
son. Phil Douglas will be called upon |
for any further right handed duty.
Ruth. Mays, Jones and Bush VIII do |
The box work for Ed Barrow, with |
chance that Ruth also will work In The
or the quartet Ruth will have the
best chance against the Cubs. lie Is /
star in any company and will defeat the /
Cubs as surely as he starts against /
Them. or the others little can be said |
As opposed 10 Fred Mltchells cham |
pions. Bush's skill probably will be
Ihe greatest obstacle, while Mays cum
ming doubtless will be easily overcome
by the Cubs.
Catchers compare favorably, with