The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-04-28
REAL TEST FOR
 MAJOR LEAGUE LEADERS BEGINS
Status of Reds as Pennant Contender Will Appear;
 Dodgers Crippled
BY GEORGE KHRKsEY iUnlted Press Stan CorrespendenI

tOWtteN EFNSS GVAM V@EEU&E0MWentl
 New York, April 2s--tupl-The maior leagues first intersectional games open toaay-Eastern Nation al League clubs playing in the west and weStren American league clubs swinging through the east When they arc over May ' these points may be clear:
 Whether the Dodgers are the class of the National League or have been fattening up on the Phils and Braves, the circuits small fry.
 Whether khe Cardinals have been vastly ovevTated and lack the punch to storm the National League heights.
 Whether the Reds have gradually disintegrated and are out of pen- nant consideration.
 Whether the Yankees will Sta.il- pede their rivals and make Q joke of the American league.
 Whether the Indians eight-game winning streak is a flash in the pan or the indicator that Baby Pilot" Houdreau really has kindled the pennant fever in the Tribe,
 whether the Red Sox have irn- proved their pitching enough to make e serious pennant bid.
 Easy So Far
 Those are only e few of the things that will be cleared up, more or less. Up until now the clubs in both leagues have been playing among themselves in their own sector. For instance, Brooklyn figured to get away fast because of its numerous games against the weaker eastern clubs. The Dodgers have won of their II victories from the, Braves and phils and jumped off to Q three game lead in the National league.
 The tough western clubs, Card. inals, Pirates, Reds and Cubs, have been cutting each others throats and getting almost nowhere. The whole picture can change rapidly in O week.
 Almost the same is true in the American league where the Yankees have grabbed six of their nine tri- umphs from the Athletics and Sen- ators, figured to be the leagues weakest clubs. The Red Sox have been able to get e standoff In six games with the Tanks and that is taken to mean in some quarters that the Bronx bomhers aren't quite the dominant club they were Q year ago. ~ west will be e real test for the "bums" because Eeo Durochers club Is crippled. It's possible that Dolf Camilli, who's been nursing Q heavy cold, and Arky Vaughan, benched by 0 Charley Horse, will return to the Dodger infield in CiIi- cinnati today. Outfielders Dixie walker, who has e spike wound, and Augic dalan, left behind in Phila- delphia with e case of flu, may DC out of action for Q week.
 Patched Up
 However, the Dodgers reserve strength has made itself manifest in games against the weaker clubs and they have been winning with 6 patched.up lineup. Only Brooklyn player who has played his position continuously since the season opened is shortstop Pee Wee Reese.
 The Cubs moved into a tie with the third -place Giants by defeating the Reds, 4-3, in Il innings in the only major League game yesterday. It was the fourth extra inning game the Reds have played this season. chicago scored on unearned run in the eleventh when Stanley Hack singled for his fourth hit, was safe at second when Eddie Joost dropped catcher Ray Lamannos throw giid scored on Len Merullo's single. Re" lief pitcher Paul Erickson was cred- tied with the victory while the loss was charged to Johnny Wander Nicer. Lou stringer homered witn one on for the Cubs.