Having rolled 1121 games, I am finally down to the big payoff. My 1906 replay is actually the 2016 real world prequel. I am hoping that this matchup features the same winner. Much like my real world pre series jitters I am suffering from a bit of worry. The Cubs and Indians arrived at this moment in time via two very different paths. In fact, the opposite paths they should have taken.
Despite shortening the season to 140 games the Cubs somehow managed to nearly replicate their exact winning percentage of .763 to my result of .764. Unlike in the real world, the Cubs had constant pursuit from the Giants initially, but eventually the Pirates, who in second, just 5 games out compared to the 20 game margin the real world Cubs had over the Giants. Meanwhile over in Cleveland, the Indians got off to a solid start and moved into first on April 18th and never looked back. They finished 15 games over the A’s and White Sox who tied for second place.
So as a preview to those who haven’t been part of my replay, and as a means of self help, here is the way the two teams match up. I won’t rate managers since unfortunately both teams are stuck with me.
I apologize in advance if my number placement for reference isn’t what you are used to. Stats provided are for my replay, and not real world.
Position
Catcher:
Cleveland Harry Bemis (F) C 7 0-0-0-10-7-7-7 .252 2 HR 48 RBI 13 SB
Chicago Johnny Kling C 8 0-0-0-11-10-7-7-7 .319 3 HR 106 RBI 20 SB
Bemis might be rated fast, but Kling has a much better card for steals. Both have 3 sevens but Kling is also better defensively. Edge: Chicago
First Base:
Cleveland Claude Rossman 1B 3 0-0-11-7-7-7 .304 62 RBI 11 SB
Chicago Frank Chance (F) 1B 4 0-0-0-11-11-11 .350 1 HR 88 RBI 64 SB
Rossman had a solid year as a super sub, who will be starting over the slumping George Stovall, but Frank Chance won the NL MVP for a reason. He dominated the leader boards in almost every category. He is also faster and plays better defense. Edge: Chicago
Second Base:
Cleveland Napoleon Lajoie (F) 2B 8 0-0-0-0-11-7-7-7-7 .308 96 RBI 24 SB
Chicago Johnny Evers (F) 2B 7 0-0-11-11-11 .253 74 RBI 44 SB
Sorry Johnny, this one isn’t even close. With the exception of the 11’s, Lajoie is superior to Evers in every way possible. Edge: Cleveland.
Shortstop:
Cleveland Cotton Turner (F) SS 8 0-0-11-10-7-7 .262 69 RBI 26 SB
Chicago Joe Tinker (F) SS 9 0-0-11-10-7 .224 49 RBI 31 SB
While neither shortstop will remind anyone of Honus Wagner, Joe Tinker, a notoriously weak hitter didn’t even reach his rather lowly real world numbers. Turner, while not great, has been dependable defensively, and comes up with clutch hits often enough to be a threat. Edge: Cleveland
Third Base:
Cleveland Bill Bradley (F) 3B 5 0-0-0-11-7-7 .305 4 HR 59 RBI 21 SB
Chicago Harry Steinfeldt (F) 3B 5 0-0-0-11-10-7-7-7 .315 3 HR 115 RBI 32 SB
This one is the most interesting matchup of the series. And not just for their playing abilities. In 1900, when there was no American League, Bradley was the Cubs starting third baseman, and considered to be one of the best in baseball. However, his departure did lead the Cubs to go after current third baseman Stienfeldt. At first glance, Steinfeldt has this in a walk, but Bradley compiled those numbers in just 80 games. Steinfeld has a better card, but Bradley was on fire the final three weeks of the season. Edge: Tie
Left Field:
Cleveland William Congalton OF 2 0-0-11-7-7-7-7 .256 42 RBI 25 SB
Chicago Art Hofman (F) OF 2 0-0-11-11-7 .394 17 RBI 8 SB
This is a position that might make an impact during the series. Congalton massively underperformed his card, but was red hot in August before having to miss the final month of the season. Hofman should have played more, but was rated for less games than struggling Jimmy Slagle. I probably should have started him in July, but what’s done is done, and the Cubs were in first. Hofman may have the inferior card, but he overperformed his card by over 100 points. I know 29 games doesn’t indicate what will happen, but since it was over the final 29 it may be a factor. Edge: Tie
Center Field
Cleveland Harry Bay (F) OF 2 0-0-11-11-7 .302 7 RBI 8 SB
Chicago Jimmy Sheckard (F) OF 3 0-0-0-11-7 .249 39 RBI 37 SB
Sheckard has the superior card, but he slumped pretty badly in August, and only improved slightly in September. Bay, like Hofman for Chicago only played about half of his scheduled games because Clevleand was well in front, but lost a lot of players to limits and he was the best option as a pinch hitter. Once he started, he really took off and overperformed his card by a huge margin. Edge: Cleveland
Right Field
Cleveland Elmer Flick (F) OF 2 0-0-0-11-11-7-7 .298 69 RBI 40 SB
Chicago Frank Schulte (F) OF 2 0-0-0-11-10-7-7 .287 7 HR 74 RBI 31 SB
Flick had to carry the workload of two players for most of the season. With Congalton slumping badly in the first half of the season he was basically the table setter from the #2 spot in the lineup. I think he did more for the team in July than Lajoie did, and without him the White Sox may have completed their comeback to win the flag. Schulte was solid all year long, but suffered a recurring ankle injury over the final 2 weeks and did miss some time. This one is almost too close to call, but I can say there is a winner.
Edge: Chicago
Pitching
While there are no graded relievers for either team, with a 3 man rotation for the championship vs. the 4 man rotation used in the regular season this puts some very good pitchers into relief status, but since the starters will be expected to finish what they start barring injuries or a big blowout I am only going to compare the starting three for each team.
#1
Cleveland Addie Joss A YZ 26-4 2.10 ERA .87 WHIP 7 shutouts
Chicago Mordecai Brown A&C YZ 27-4 2.17 ERA .92 WHIP 5 shutouts
Brown has the better grade, but otherwise their pitching numbers were very similar. However, despite having what would be described as a “decent” hitter’s card Joss put up much better numbers, hitting .288 with 19 RBI and 3 stolen bases. However, Brown having the dual grade rating will be much more important with a runner on first. Edge: Chicago
#2
Cleveland Otto Hess A Y 23-9 1.58 ERA .77 WHIP 8 shutouts
Chicago Ed Reulbach A&C Y 15-9 2.07 ERA .90 WHIP 2 shutouts
Reulbach has the better card with the dual grade, but while he had great numbers, it felt like he was on the ropes in every single start. Meanwhile Hess put up arguably better numbers than Joss, and was key down the stretch. He threw a no hitter in his last start of the season. Momentum could be important. Hess also hit .259. Edge: Cleveland
#3
Cleveland Robert Rhoads A 23-9 1.68 ERA.87 WHIP 4 shutouts
Chicago John Pfiester A XZ 27-3 1.99 ERA .90 WHIP 4 shutouts
This may be the most important matchup in the rotation. With the first two matchups almost dead even Pfiester had the better year than his opponent. Pfiester also has an X, which in this card set is pretty rare and a Z, which will keep runners off the bases. Edge: Chicago
Bench
While this will likely be limited to pinch hitting, I will still review.
Cleveland The Indians are minus Jay Clarke and his outstanding card with an injury. Harry Bay and Claude Rossman are in the lineup. George Stovall and Joe Birmingham are available though.
Chicago The Cubs bench was not very deep, and quite honestly not very good. Art Hofman is in the lineup for the series, but Henry Gessler and Pat Moran are “tolerable” options. Edge: Cleveland.
Intangibles
While Cleveland and Chicago may have many similarities among their starting 9, the thing that worries me is that Cleveland has more similarities with the Pirates, who finished much better than expected, and quite honestly owned the Cubs down the stretch in head to head matchups.
Much like Pittsburgh the “luck” factor seemed to come into play a lot, especially with their weaker players, whereas Chicago had to use their superior roster to steamroll the Braves, Reds and Cardinals to keep the distance from Pittsburgh at a safe margin.
Both teams lost important players at times, but once Kling was done in August they basically had three automatic outs in the lineup. That won’t be the case in the championship series. Chicago also has fielding one rating unless a position player has to come out with an injury or ejection vs. Cleveland’s fielding two rating.
Chicago had the better record and thus has home field advantage.
Edge: Cleveland.
Who I think will win? Chicago. I still have to roll the series but I won’t change this preview out of fairness and will own what I get on the blog once posted. I look forward to presenting this to you.
Scott Fennessy presents his 1906 World Series Preview
