Jhoulys Chacin tried picking off Javy Baez twice -- as Baez never moved once
Ah, the throw over to first base. It's an important tool for pitchers wary of the runner on first, afraid he might take off and steal second.
Sometimes, the pitcher's able to pick off the runner, leading a bit too much off the bag. Other times, though, it's nothing more than a gesture -- a way for the pitcher to say "Hey, you, guy -- I'm watching you. Tread carefully."
In the fourth inning of the Cubs' 6-4 win over the Brewers at Miller Park on Wednesday, Milwaukee's
Almost got ‘em. 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/qlqqcgbHUO
— MLB (@MLB) September 6, 2018
Later in Rizzo's at-bat, though, it became apparent why Baez on the bases is such a frightening proposition for the opposition:
See? It all makes sense now, kind of.
"Right before Riz stepped up to the plate, I was watching the catcher and he wasn't giving signs, so I knew he was coming back," Baez explained after the game. "After the first one, I looked again and he tried to act like he was giving signs and I saw him, so I just stayed there."