[luckymann]

A fitting finale to the 1905 season, with two teams who were clearly the best in their respective leagues getting to duke it out in the decider.

If I was writing this review at the beginning of August, I would be telling you this had the potential to be an incredibly one-sided affair. The Highlanders were so dominant and looked likely to become the first side to win 100 games, while the Cubs were in a real tussle with both the Phillies and Beaneaters. But the Highlanders fell off a cliff and the Cubs ground out another NL pennant that wasn’t really as close-run as the final standings would have you believe, and in the end the Cubs passed the lads from NYC to finish with 95 wins.

For all the neutrals out there this has to be a good thing, because now this shapes up as a ding-dong battle between two evenly-matched and highly-talented sides – one the best pitching outfit in the league, the other the best offensive lineup. Should be a beauty.

The Highlanders’ pitching is their strength, with Bonderman, McCormick and McCaskill (3-man rotations will be in operation for the Series) – all guns. New York’s 3.09 starter ERA was the second-best in the AL, with their 3.27 FIP third. With one of the best defensive units in the field behind them, this group will be incredibly tough to score off. And if one of the starters is having an off night, they have a number of excellent options out of the bullpen to avail themselves of.

The Cubs, on the other hand, are the best offensive group in either league. They slashed .302 / .355 / .396 as a team (all top in the NL), with a .349 wOBA (again, 1st) and amassed a total of 35 WAR between them. As I’ve said previously, LF Greg Gross is in my view the most underrated player in the FL, and he was sensational again this season with his .375 BA, .446 OBP, 22 triples, and 9.1 RC27 all leading the league. If not for the presence of Leon Durham, I’d declare him the favourite in the NL MVP race, and he still has a decent chance of winning it. 1B Norm Larker has also had a banner year with a .339 BA, 3 HR and 93 batted in. Tresh, Dunwoody, Howe and Johnstone are all dangerous as well.

So, if you will, this Series can be seen as a test of the old good pitching beats good hitting axiom.

In the end, I think it will come down to experience. I just think the Highlanders are a tad underdone in that regard against the battle-hardened campaigners on the Cubs’ roster, most of whom have been here before, including their World Championship in ’03.

So for that reason I’m calling this one for the Cubs in 6.

Game recaps to come over the next few days.