A sneaky Javier Baez turned a single into a double and boldly stole home in NLCS Game 1
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Javier Báez only knows how to play the game one way: aggressively.
In the second inning of the Cubs' 8-4 win over the Dodgers in NLCS Game 1 on Saturday night, Chicago's fiery infielder lofted a popup to short center field. It landed, plating Chicago's second run of the game, and Baez scampered to second for a double on what would have been a single for most hitters.
A wild pitch moved Baez to third with two outs. With Jon Lester at the plate, Baez faked an attempt home after a pitch -- and when Dodgers catcher Carlos Ruiz fired to third, Baez took off and outran the return throw from Justin Turner, scoring a run predicated by blazing speed and ridiculous baseball instincts.
The madness played out like this:
His manager, Joe Maddon, did his best to refrain from smiling in the dugout after that display:
This was the Cubs' first postseason steal of home in a long, long time:
This type of hustle is the stuff that makes October heroes happen ... well, this and slick gum-saving hand-eye coordination, too.
See what Baez and the Cubs have in store when they face off against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers in Game 2, Sunday at 8 pm. ET on FS1.