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amead17 · 02-20-2026, 12:01 PM

ATHLETICS AND PIRATES FAVORED AS NEW CAMPAIGN DAWNS
Sporting Times Issues Its Forecast for the 1918 Pennant Races

By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times
April 14th 1918

Once more the season is upon us. The grandstands stand freshly dressed, the infields neatly rolled, and across both major circuits players and patrons alike are stirred with anticipation. As is our custom at the Sporting Times, we present our considered forecast of the coming struggle, with all figures herein projections only.

Athletics Tipped to Command the American League

In the American League, we look to the Philadelphia Athletics to set the pace. Our estimates place them at 96 victories against 58 defeats, a .623 mark, built upon 611 runs scored, a .264 batting average, and a sterling team earned run average of 2.44, with but 473 runs allowed. Their balance of offense and pitching appears the most complete in the circuit.

The New York Yankees are projected to give chase at 88–66, eight games astern, while the Cleveland Indians are marked for a 78–76 campaign. The St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators are each forecast at an even 77–77, with the Boston Red Sox close behind. The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox round out the field.

Among the league’s leading batsmen, B. Southworth of the Yankees is projected to bat .314 with 72 runs batted in and 40 stolen bases. H. Johnson of the Athletics is forecast at .325 with 11 home runs and a .488 slugging mark. J. Daubert of Detroit, T. Walker of St. Louis, and B. Fisher of Washington are likewise expected to figure prominently, while T. Speaker of Cleveland and H. Groh of Philadelphia add further strength to the anticipated batting race.

In the pitcher’s box, the Yankees’ P. Perritt is marked for a 21–14 record and a 2.20 earned run average over 327⅔ innings. D. Redding of Boston is projected at 23–13 with a 2.00 mark, and A. Sothoron and A. Nehf of the Athletics are each expected to surpass the twenty-victory plateau. E. Cicotte of Washington and B. Doak of New York also stand among the circuit’s foremost projected twirlers.

Pirates Given the Edge in the National

Turning to the senior circuit, the Pittsburgh Pirates are our choice to finish atop the standings at 86–68. Their anticipated 632 runs, combined with a 2.89 earned run average, suggest sufficient strength to withstand the challenge of the St. Louis Cardinals, who are projected at 82–72.

The Brooklyn Robins and Cincinnati Reds are each forecast at 78–76, followed closely by the New York Giants and Philadelphia Phillies. The Boston Braves and Chicago Cubs complete a tightly bunched field.

At the plate, T. Cobb of Philadelphia is projected for an extraordinary .384 average with 88 runs batted in and 37 stolen bases. G. Sisler of Cincinnati is marked at .327 with 51 thefts, while B. Ruth of Pittsburgh is expected to drive 11 home runs and 91 runs across the plate. G. Burns of Philadelphia, E. Roush of Boston, and H. Heilmann of Cincinnati further adorn a formidable offensive class.

On the mound, W. Johnson of Brooklyn is forecast to post a 22–15 record with a sparkling 1.79 earned run average over 357⅔ innings. D. Whitworth and B. Bush of St. Louis, J. Shaw of New York, and W. Cooper of Chicago are all expected to anchor their respective staffs, with strong performances also projected from J. Donaldson of Brooklyn and B. Gatewood of Pittsburgh.

Thus stand our prognostications on the eve of battle. Whether the Athletics and Pirates shall justify our confidence, or whether some unforeseen surge shall upset the reckoning, only the unfolding months will decide. For now, the diamond awaits, and the pennant races lie before us.

02-20-2026, 12:01 PM	#789
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,275	ATHLETICS AND PIRATES FAVORED AS NEW CAMPAIGN DAWNS Sporting Times Issues Its Forecast for the 1918 Pennant Races By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times April 14th 1918 Once more the season is upon us. The grandstands stand freshly dressed, the infields neatly rolled, and across both major circuits players and patrons alike are stirred with anticipation. As is our custom at the Sporting Times, we present our considered forecast of the coming struggle, with all figures herein projections only. Athletics Tipped to Command the American League In the American League, we look to the Philadelphia Athletics to set the pace. Our estimates place them at 96 victories against 58 defeats, a .623 mark, built upon 611 runs scored, a .264 batting average, and a sterling team earned run average of 2.44, with but 473 runs allowed. Their balance of offense and pitching appears the most complete in the circuit. The New York Yankees are projected to give chase at 88–66, eight games astern, while the Cleveland Indians are marked for a 78–76 campaign. The St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators are each forecast at an even 77–77, with the Boston Red Sox close behind. The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox round out the field. Among the league’s leading batsmen, B. Southworth of the Yankees is projected to bat .314 with 72 runs batted in and 40 stolen bases. H. Johnson of the Athletics is forecast at .325 with 11 home runs and a .488 slugging mark. J. Daubert of Detroit, T. Walker of St. Louis, and B. Fisher of Washington are likewise expected to figure prominently, while T. Speaker of Cleveland and H. Groh of Philadelphia add further strength to the anticipated batting race. In the pitcher’s box, the Yankees’ P. Perritt is marked for a 21–14 record and a 2.20 earned run average over 327⅔ innings. D. Redding of Boston is projected at 23–13 with a 2.00 mark, and A. Sothoron and A. Nehf of the Athletics are each expected to surpass the twenty-victory plateau. E. Cicotte of Washington and B. Doak of New York also stand among the circuit’s foremost projected twirlers. Pirates Given the Edge in the National Turning to the senior circuit, the Pittsburgh Pirates are our choice to finish atop the standings at 86–68. Their anticipated 632 runs, combined with a 2.89 earned run average, suggest sufficient strength to withstand the challenge of the St. Louis Cardinals, who are projected at 82–72. The Brooklyn Robins and Cincinnati Reds are each forecast at 78–76, followed closely by the New York Giants and Philadelphia Phillies. The Boston Braves and Chicago Cubs complete a tightly bunched field. At the plate, T. Cobb of Philadelphia is projected for an extraordinary .384 average with 88 runs batted in and 37 stolen bases. G. Sisler of Cincinnati is marked at .327 with 51 thefts, while B. Ruth of Pittsburgh is expected to drive 11 home runs and 91 runs across the plate. G. Burns of Philadelphia, E. Roush of Boston, and H. Heilmann of Cincinnati further adorn a formidable offensive class. On the mound, W. Johnson of Brooklyn is forecast to post a 22–15 record with a sparkling 1.79 earned run average over 357⅔ innings. D. Whitworth and B. Bush of St. Louis, J. Shaw of New York, and W. Cooper of Chicago are all expected to anchor their respective staffs, with strong performances also projected from J. Donaldson of Brooklyn and B. Gatewood of Pittsburgh. Thus stand our prognostications on the eve of battle. Whether the Athletics and Pirates shall justify our confidence, or whether some unforeseen surge shall upset the reckoning, only the unfolding months will decide. For now, the diamond awaits, and the pennant races lie before us.