The Dodgers haven't been much of a running team this year, but maybe they will get their chance against Jon Lester and the Cubs in the third game of their four-game series on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Or perhaps the left-hander's strides in keeping his opponents at bay on the bases will nip these running plans in the bud.
The root of Lester's problems with the running game lie mostly in his problems with throwing the ball to first base. The problem all but eliminates the chances of a pickoff throw of any veracity from Lester, and as such runners can time Lester's delivery and run at will, at least in theory.