NATIONAL LEAGUE PREDICTIONS ARE IN.

April 10, 1926

Eight Clubs, One Flag

With the season set to open, the National League lines up eight clubs again, each carrying its own man at the top and last year’s finish behind it. From the bottom upward, the order forms.

Philadelphia finishes where it stood a year ago—last.

Manager Art Fletcher remains in charge. A former infielder of long service, Fletcher has yet to turn the club upward. The Phillies closed 1925 in eighth place and enter 1926 with little to suggest a climb.

Boston stands just above them.

Under Dave Bancroft, a sharp-fielding shortstop turned manager, the Braves continue to search for consistency. They finished seventh in 1925 and remain a club in transition.

Brooklyn follows.

Wilbert Robinson has long commanded respect, but his club slipped to sixth last season. Robinson’s steady hand remains, though the roster has not kept pace with the league’s best.

Chicago comes next.

Bill Killefer took over the Cubs and guides a club that finished fifth in 1925. A former catcher, Killefer leans on fundamentals, but Chicago must show more to rise.

New York holds the middle.

The Giants, managed by John McGraw, finished fourth a year ago. McGraw’s reputation needs no building, and his club is never far from the front, but they enter this season chasing ground rather than setting the pace.

St. Louis sits just ahead.

The St. Louis Cardinals, under player-manager Rogers Hornsby, finished third in 1925 and are placed there again to open 1926. Their strength lies in the bat, led by Hornsby, though the climb beyond this spot depends on steadier pitching.

Cincinnati moves into contention.

Managed by Jack Hendricks, the Reds finished second last season and are placed there again. A disciplined club, they remain close enough to strike if the leader falters.

At the top stands Pittsburgh.

The defending champions, the Pittsburgh Pirates, managed by Bill McKechnie, took first in 1925 and are picked to hold it. Their balance and proven finish mark them again as the club to beat.

Eight clubs. Same order to start.

The standings will soon argue otherwise.

— Beat Writer Mike