The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-09-03
CUBS STILL
FAVORED
COP
By Louis A. Dougher


BY Louis A. Dougher
wall Street betting odds show
the Chicago Cubs still reigning
favorites to win the National
League pennant for 1927. 1t is
an even money proposition in "the
street"
The gentlemen accustomed to
handling big wagers believe 1t a
2.to.1 proposition against the Pitts
burgh Pirates, ~ toll against the
ST. Louis Cardinals and a 3.to-1 shot
against John McGraw's New York
Giants.
At this time in so warm a
contest as that being staged in
the National League betting
odds may be expected to
change frequently and often,
Sickness and injuries. especially
among pitchers, may change
odds in tWinkling.
The National League schedule
would appear to give the Pitts
burgh Pirates an edge over their
rivals, the Cubs, Cardinals and
Giants. OF their remaining 81
games only ten are with the Cubs,
Cardinals and Giants. The rest
are with the weaker second di-
vision teams. though those Boston
Braves have won six out of thirteen
games from DOME Bush's team
thus far this year.
AS the Eastern clubs enter upon
their final swing through the West
the Giants have IA games with
the Cubs, Pirates and Cardinals.
The Cubs have Is with the Cardi-
mails, Giants and Pirates, the st.
Louis Cardinals having the same
number.
The Pirates have nine more games
with second division clubs than
the Cubs have. remaining and five
more than both the Giants and
Cardinals. They have four less
against contenders than have the
Cubs, and seven less than the
Cards and Giants.
One soft place for the Pirates
Is with the Cincinnati Reds.
They have won IL out of their
Ia battles with the Reds, and
have eight more to play.
Down the line to the finish pitch
ers become more and more import
ant. The Pirates hurlers are none
too strong. Carmen Hill. Vic Aid
ridge and Lee Meadows have been
under a terrific strain for weeks.
In addition, Meadows is not a pow
erfully-built man like Aldridge and
Hill. Kremer, on the other hand,
was in poor shape early in the sea
son, and is now at his best, and
when he is going at fast clip, it's
some clip.
Charlie Root. the Cubs iron man,
Is the only pitcher Joe Mccarthy
can depend upon, and he Is be-
ginning to show signs Of the strain
Of working too much. The others
have already cracked.
Ever since the race narrowed
down to the present four contenders
the Cardinals have been depending
more and more upon the two
Ancients, Alexander and Haines.
They have been winning consistent
ly, but Sherdel and Rhem have been
losing their effectiveness.
Much like Kremer, Burleigh
Grimes did not round into condi-
ton until recently Now he is an
iron man. a real Burleigh Grimes,
able to pitch in and out of turn
and always deliver the goods.
Benton couldn't win for the
Boston Braves any more than
Greenfield could for the Giants
but he is now the most success
full Of all McGraw's hurlers.
Also he is far from being over.
worked.
Fitzsimmons is a big, strong fell
low who dotes on work. He should
last right through the heat OF the
fray. Barnes, Garrison and Dutch
Henry are in good shape. consider
ing what they have gone through
this year. They hardly rank with
the others but should do their al
lotted share.
If there is anything in this mas
ter mind" theory-and this writer
has his doubts-McGraw has a
chance to prove it by his manipu-
lation of pitchers and pinch-hit-
ters between now and the end of
the season. His pawns seem worthy
of his efforts.
AS an insight into the McGraw
system of things. one might watch
closely for hit batsmen in Giant
games. The McGraw system calls
for the busting" of opposing bats
men. not all of them, but most of
the dreaded sluggers, especially in
tight places The McGraw methods
are producing results when the
Giant hurlers are busting off, the
hitters.
As evidence Of the strain upon
the Giants they have seven
dOuble.headers to play begin.
ming today. Here's the list:
Today:-Phillies at New York.
Sept. 5:-Braves at New York.
Sept. 13:-Cardinals at st. Louis.
Sept. 14:--Cardinals at st. Louis.
Sept. 15:--Cardinals at st. Louis.
Sept. 1S:--Reds at Cincinnati.
Sept. 22:-Pirates at Pittsburgh.
A rumor is running around the
American league that the White
Sox are preparing to turn over to
the Oakland club in the Pacific
Coast league Ike Boone. the slug.
ging outfielder that appendicitis
has kept inactive all year: Bert
Cole. southpaw pitcher, unable to
break into the regular quartet;
Elmer Jacobs. veteran pitcher in
the same boat with Cole, and
$4,000 in hard money in exchange
EFNrs--5 ~ = y