The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-08-15
Even Break on Trip Should
Give Chicago Flag,
Calculations.
MAINTAIN LEAGUE LEAD
Strength of Club Lies in
Teamwork.
BY MAURICE MERMEY
United Press STAFF Correspondent

CHICAGO, Aug. Those
amazing Chicago Cubs, in command
of their persuasive pilot. Joe Nc
earthly, have started on their. final
tour of the East with a comfortable
five-game lead over their nearest
rival, and at the top of their game.
Should the Cubs break even on
the 20-game trip, they ought TO win
the National League pennant in a
walk. While there are so-called
experts who think McCarthy's boys
are playing over their heads-they
have won IL of their last IL games
there is no law in organized base
ball preventing team which plays
in such a unique manner from
capturing the flag.
Giants Kept Away
BY winning Sunday from the
rejuvenated Cincinnati Reds. the
Cubs swept that three-game series,
and maintained their margin over
the Pirates, who were evening the
series with the dangerous Cardinals.
The Giants. who Seem to have come
to lite, also were kept at respectable
distance. Here are The standings
of the first division:
Team. Won Lost. Pee.
Chicago ................. 60 40 $3.50
ssv Ig ydSk ...........: g g g :s sss
! Chicago's strength lies in its
team work. Casting about for indi-
vidual stars, the observer finds none
in Joe McCarthy's employ. But as
a machine, they are as well knit as
any organization in the circuit
and the Cubs haven't any internal
dissension, such as seems to bother
Pittsburgh and st. Louis.
Alright InfieId
In the field, the Cubs are alright.
That infield combination-Grimm,
Beck, English and Adams-is work.
ing like charm. Beck and English
are youngsters, like Koenig and
Lazzeri were for the Yankees last
year, but they are delivering. Adams,
who is equally adept at third, sec
ond and short, is covering third at
the moment. He is one Of the big
reasons why the Cubs are breezing
along.
The outfield-five men here, not
three-boasts of Hack Wilson. one
of the hardest hitters in the league;
Earl Webb, the rookie who immedi-
ately made good; Stephenson, lead
ing Chicago hitter, whose average
is about $50; Heathcote, capable
substitute. and Scott, who plays in.
place of Webb when left-hander
is in the box.
The team is fielding .973, the best
mark in either league, and batting
.281, some thirty-one points below
Pittsburgh. But the hitting has
been timely and effective.
Good Pitching 6taff
AS for pitchers, the Cubs are we'll
fortified with Root, Carlson, Jones,
Bush and Blake ready for regular
turns. Root is perhaps the out
standing hurler IN either league,
having won twenty-one games and
lost nine this season.
From the mathematical point of
view, the Cubs hardly can lose.
With 46 games to play, they need
win but % to do better than the
Cards did last year in winning the
pennant. Hornsby's men won SO
and lost Is in a three-cornered race.
If they break even on the road they
undoubtedly will return to Chicago
Sept. 4 in first place for the last lap
of 26 games.
The Cubs have been invincible on
their home lot and figure to win
IA of their 20 remaining games at
Wrigley field. The six other games
are. at st. Louis, and an even break
should keep the boys on top.