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Chicago Cubs Jon Lester Finally Throws The Ball To First Base

By Gavin Lee

Apr 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) reacts after getting the final out with the bases loaded against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) reacts after getting the final out with the bases loaded against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester has a lot of trouble throwing the ball to first. He has figured out a new way to take care of those issues.

Jon Lester

has always had trouble picking off runners.  For some reason, throwing to first is so much more difficult for him than delivering the ball home. It got so bad that he completely avoided pick-offs for the entire 2014 season. Coming into the 2015 season, maybe Lester thought he had it all figured out; on April 13th, he decided to give it a go and although the Cubs got an out, it didn’t turn out the way he’d hoped.

(MLB Link)

He didn’t try another one for another four months, deciding maybe he’d go out on top after the assist from Soler.  But then on August 13th, he thought “What the hell! It’s the Brewers, we’re almost 20 games ahead of them and already up 1-0 in the 3rd. What’s the worst that could happen?” Well Jon..

(MLB Link)

It’s safe to say that he doesn’t feel comfortable throwing to first base, or any base for that matter.  So what about when it’s hit right at him you say? Well, Lester’s always been a little bit unconventional, so he takes a different approach to the underhand toss.  April 19th, in the start after the first throwing incident, Clint Barmes smacked one right at him.

(MLB Link)

I mean it worked right? Better than him air-mailing a cutter over Rizzo’s head, and letting the runners keep on running.  But no way will he do that every time.  Well yesterday…

(MLB Link)

I’m sure Rizzo is ready for anything now. He dropped that glove like he knew what was going to happen.

The pick-off phobia doesn’t seem to be affecting Lester much this year, as he has only allowed 7 earned runs in his 40 innings.  After the 5.2 of shutout ball today his ERA has fallen to 1.58, good for 9th in the majors (but 3rd on his team behind Jake Arrieta‘s 0.84 and Jason Hammel‘s 1.24) and his xFIP is just 2.85, also placing him 9th in the league.

He’s been worth every penny since the Cubs signed him for $155 million before the 2015 season. Lester’s 5.7 fWAR over his Cub tenure has been worth approximately $45 million already. He ranks 13th in the big leagues in WAR over that time, trailing a group made up of 7 Cy Young winners, a World Series MVP, a Rookie of the Year, a 19 game winner and a couple of dominant Chicago left-handers. It’s a pretty talented list to say the least.

Related Story: Cubs' Pitching Staff's X-Factor

While he can do some funny things at times, don’t take Lester lightly. His consistent presence is huge part of what has made the Chicago Cubs the best team in baseball this year, and a big reason why they’re likely on their way back to the playoffs in 2016.

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