BASEBALL MONTHLY
July 1885
Dynamic Pennant Race in National League
While the Baltimore Orioles are breaking all kinds of records in the American Association and have already clinched their third straight pennant, all eyes are on the National League where three teams race to the finish line and three cities hold their breats again.
Chicago of course is no stranger to this scenario, few could ever rememeber a pennant race that the Whites have not been a part of over the years. Many were worried about the team in the middle of the season but they have fought it out and had a 17-11 month of July to pull with in one game of the division lead, the Brooklyn Grays lead the chase. Just a single game behind Chicago is the Cincinnati ball club, who also has been surging late to stake their claim.
With 8 games remaining for the three teams all will be decided on the field. The Grays and the Reds face off for two games in Brooklyn to start the month, then the most crucial series of the year happens on the last weekend of the season when the Chicago club hosts Brooklyn for a final 4 games, doubtless these games will decide the winner.
The team also made a late season move to bring back Candy Cummings who was out of a job. Cummings was with the team during their first title and may have something to give in the final month. The 36 year old pitcher has won 171 games in his career and has a career ERA of 2.29. Cal McVey has finnally gotten his wish and was sent to Cleveland.
Cummings back in Chicago
Many are worried that Chicago in the end will still miss the services of Al Spalding this time of year. In the past it was Spalding who took the ball in the biggest of moments and led the team with guile and determination, the current staff is much more soft spoken, and have yet to really prove they could win the big game. George Derby did throw two shutouts last month however and Adonis Terry has a shot at 20 wins (18-10). Chicgo Team information:
| Team Information |
| Record overall | 59-45, .567 PCT |
| Position in Division | 2nd, 1 GB |
| Record at home | 27-23, .540 PCT |
| Record on the road | 32-22, .593 PCT |
| Record in X-inning games | 7-0, 1.000 PCT |
| Record in one-run games | 15-11, .577 PCT |
| Record versus LHP | 9-4, .692 PCT |
| Record versus RHP | 50-41, .549 PCT |
| Record last 10 games | 6-4, .600 PCT |
| Record in April | 15-7, .682 PCT |
| Record in May | 12-16, .429 PCT |
| Record in June | 15-11, .577 PCT |
| Record in July | 17-11, .607 PCT |
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| Team Batting Stats & Rankings |
| Batting Average | .246 - 2nd in NL |
| On-Base Percentage | .285 - 3rd in NL |
| Slugging Percentage | .324 - 3rd in NL |
| On-Base + Slugging | .609 - 4th in NL |
| Runs Scored | 515 - 5th in NL |
| Hits | 922 - 2nd in NL |
| Extra-Base Hits | 197 - 7th in NL |
| Home Runs | 19 - 2nd in NL |
| Bases-On-Balls | 194 - 4th in NL |
| Strikeouts | 391 - 3rd in NL |
| Stolen Bases | 181 - 2nd in NL |
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| Team Pitching Stats & Rankings |
| Earned Run Average | 2.10 - 8th in NL |
| Starters' ERA | 2.18 - 8th in NL |
| Bullpen ERA | 1.19 - 2nd in NL |
| Runs allowed | 505 - 3rd in NL |
| Hits allowed | 871 - 3rd in NL |
| Opponents AVG | .235 - 4th in NL |
| BABIP | .263 - 4th in NL |
| Home Runs allowed | 12 - 2nd in NL |
| Bases-On-Balls | 268 - 7th in NL |
| Strikeouts | 437 - 4th in NL |
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League NotesThe Baltimore Orioles became the earliest team to clinch a pennant last month and have lead from wire to wire. The Orioles also broke the all time wins record for a team and sit on a 73-31 record with 8 to play. The previous record for wins was held by the Chicago White Stockings with 71.
John Reilly of the Baltimore Orioles is having quite a season. Reilly has 93 steals already which is a new all time record, many are expecting the speedy first baseman to reach the incredible 100 steals mark.