Extra Innings

For the second time in four seasons, we've finished with a first-place tie. Prior to tonight's contest, the Canaries held a slim one-game lead over the Haymakers. A win would secure them the regular-season title, but the Canaries could must little offense against a masterful Happy Jack Chesbro. Despite their record-setting offense (most runs scored in a single season, most home runs hit in a regular season, etc.), the Canaries managed only a single run -- a solo shot by outfielder Hugh Duffy. Chesbro's mates managed to score two runs against ace Tim Keefe, allowing the Haymakers to walk away with a 2-1 win. 

Now what? We've known for the past couple of weeks that these teams will face each other in the best-of-three championship series, but first we need to figure out who gets home-field advantage. The teams will play a single tiebreaker game (which counts as part of the regular season) to determine first place. That team will be at home for Game 1 and Game 3. However, the scheduling presents an interesting quirk. In my (imaginary) calendar, there was a single off day between the end of the regular season and the beginning of the championship series. The tiebreaker game will be held on that day. As such, both teams will be forced to use at least one pitcher who will not be available in Game 1 of the playoffs. (To avoid tracking tedious information like pitcher fatigue, I have a simple "house rule" that a pitcher cannot appear in games on consecutive calendar days.) 

I'd have to say that the Haymakers are favored in this situation, owing to their impressive pitching depth. I'll do a full write-up previewing the series, but the short version is that the Haymakers have the arms and the Canaries don't. I haven't decided on who will start for the Canaries, but the Haymakers can run Cy Young out there for the tiebreaker. Not too shabby!