In the eighth inning of Game 4 of the NLDS between the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs, baseball fans got to see the rarest of all things. Jon Lester — the left-handed pitcher who essentially can’t throw to first — not only threw over, but actually picked Ryan Zimmerman off.
Jon Lester with the Pick heard around the World. pic.twitter.com/UrMjAAPIpW
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 11, 2017
Zimmerman was initially called safe. But after a review he was clearly out and the call was overturned.
JON LESTER JUST PICKED OFF A RUNNER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. pic.twitter.com/7ct8Al89Qz
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 11, 2017
Twitter didn’t know what to do with itself.
Jon Lester picking off someone at 1st? Thats like seeing…. #NLDS pic.twitter.com/e1pFkDtqZX
— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) October 11, 2017
Jon Lester just picked off a runner at first base and the world was never the same.
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) October 11, 2017
Jon Lester just picked off Ryan Zimmeman. This is not a drill. This is the least possible schedule tweet of all time.
— Devan Fink (@DevanFink) October 11, 2017
If you're ever doubting yourself, just remember that @JLester34 picked off a runner at 1st. pic.twitter.com/JoJyhQrN26
— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 11, 2017
Jon Lester picked someone off at first. DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
— Jessica Kleinschmidt (@KleinschmidtJD) October 11, 2017
Jon Lester made one pickoff throw all season. He just made two in a row, nearly threw away both, and still picked off Ryan Zimmerman.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 11, 2017
Of course, every day can bring new things. But even with that in mind, seeing this broke the mold when it comes to expecting the unexpected.