Cubs hurler Kyle Hendricks made Cardinals outfielder Tommy Pham look foolish on a pick-off play. (Photo Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA Today Sports)
Cubs hurler Kyle Hendricks made Cardinals outfielder Tommy Pham look foolish on a pick-off play. (Photo Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA Today Sports)

WATCH: Tommy Pham outsmarted by Cubs pitcher for second time


by - Senior Writer -

CHICAGO — St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Tommy Pham has a history of getting picked off by Chicago Cubs starting pitchers. After singling in the fourth inning against the Cubs on Thursday night, Pham toyed with Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks before being picked off with ease.

A few years ago, Pham got cocky and baited Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester into throwing over to first base, which led to an easy pick-off play for Chicago. Essentially making a mockery of Lester's struggles with throwing to first base from the mound, Pham took a sizable gap off the bag, seemingly daring Lester to throw over.

Lester made Pham look foolish, though, as he lobbed a throw to first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who then effortlessly tagged Pham out. Furthermore, Lester also made commentator Tim McCarver, who claimed that Lester would not attempt a throw over, eat his words.

On Thursday, Pham took another daring lead against the Cubs and paid the price yet again. Considering that Hendricks is a right-hander, as opposed to the left-handed Lester, Pham's base-path movement was not as risky this time around, but, nevertheless, Pham practically dared Hendricks to throw over.

Despite seeming oblivious to Pham's movements, Hendricks outsmarted Pham by waiting until Pham leaned to his right in preparation for his takeoff toward second base before tossing an easy throw to Rizzo.

Pham was caught red-handed and did not even have a chance to dive back toward the base before being tagged out. Perhaps, Pham will reconsider his stealing tactics against the Cubs in the future.

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