CLEVELAND -- Jon Lester is a study in contrasts. When the baseball leaves his left hand on its way to the plate, the Chicago Cubs ace is dominant, particularly in October.When it leaves his hand on the way to first base, however, all bets are off.A mental block. The yips. Whatever it is thats making Lester turn a routine pickoff throw into something far more problematic, he cant shake it.And on Tuesday night the man who first noticed the troubling signs and tried to shield it from view will try to exploit it when Lester starts Game 1 of the World Series against manager Terry Francona and the Cleveland Indians.The skipper could tell something was amiss while working with Lester near the end of Franconas tenure with the Boston Red Sox. They attempted to deal with it quietly.We did a lot of things to make sure that it didnt get out in the open, Francona said. I thought we actually did a really good job because it wasnt until I left there that people started to realize that.What used to be a well-protected secret is now on display for all of baseball to see.Lester once went 66 straight starts -- two full calendar years -- without even attempting a pickoff toss. The nadir came in 2015, when any baserunner became a threat to go regardless of pedigree.And why not? Opponents stole 44 bases in 55 attempts against Lester last year, easily the most against any pitcher in the majors.Lester grew tired of trying to explain something the inexplicable, particularly for a pitcher whose typically solid control only seems to improve in lockstep with the stakes -- hes 3-0 in three World Series starts with a sparkling 0.43 ERA.So Cubs manager Joe Maddon decided to take some of the onus on Lester this spring and instead make controlling the running game a collective effort.Everybodys got an assignment per pitch, what we want to do, Maddon said. What Jon does as good as anybody in major league baseball is throw the ball from the mound to the plate, thats it. I wanted Jon to focus on what he does well first.Lester worked on his slide step and mixed up his tempo. Catcher David Ross improved his throwing, no small task at 39. The results this season were manageable. Only 28 of 41 base stealers advanced 90 feet safely, and three of those came in Lesters meaningless final start.We dont want guys to take the extra base, Ross said. I dont want them to get on period.And thats the part of his job where Lester thrives. Hes 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA in three playoff starts this month (8-6 with a 2.50 ERA in his career) and hardly seems unnerved no matter what tactics opponents use in an attempt to rattle him.In Game 5 of the NLCS, the Dodgers Enrique Hernandez worked a walk leading off the first inning then faked a dash to second only to pull back at the last second. Down a pair of runs in the seventh inning, Joc Pederson nearly went full Usain Bolt, turning to face second base while lining up like a sprinter.Neither player went, ultimately. And each time Lester made it out of the frame unscathed. He also fielded his position cleanly when the Dodgers would try to lay down a bunt instead of swinging away. The way Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo figures it, maybe Lesters as much in the head of the opposition as they are in his.The Dodgers were trying to bunt and it didnt work out, Rizzo said. When you throw someone off their game plan and stick to your game plan, you have the upper hand.Expect the Indians to ramp up the pressure when given the opportunity. Clevelands 143 stolen bases led the American League, with Rajai Davis taking an AL-best 43 on his own. Davis studied plenty of tape on Lester ahead of Game 1. Asked if his eyes light up when facing a pitcher who cant throw over, and Davis smiled.Usually my feet light up, like `Mmmm, we gonna get a bag, Davis said. But the key is not actually getting a (stolen) base, its getting to first or getting to second because hes a tough pitcher. Thats the real key, getting on base and taking advantage of the opportunity if I have it.---AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker in New York contributed to this report. Bucks Jerseys China . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Custom Bucks Jerseys . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. http://www.custombucksjersey.com/custom-oscar-robertson-jersey-large-77u.html . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. Oscar Robertson Jersey Large . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Custom Bucks Jersey China . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Tyson Frizell has backed Laurie Daleys move to hold him back from his State of Origin debut.Frizell made one of the most memorable NSW debuts in the game two loss to Queensland last month at Suncorp Stadium, after almost chasing down a flying Dane Gagai and scoring a second half try to drag the Blues back into the contest.The St George Illawarra star was only called into the NSW team after Wade Graham was suspended.Blues coach Laurie Daley had been criticised by not bringing Frizell into his side sooner among other conservative selections.But the hard-running back-rower said his extended time as a Blues squad player facilitated his impressive transfer from the NRL to Origin.It was definitely very helpful coming into camp and being a part of the squad for a few games there, it did help me a lot, Frizell said.I think if I had have come in after Wade without having any kkind of experience it would have been more nervous.ddddddddddddThe boys are really welcoming and it was a massive boost for myself to come in those few times.Graham will make his debut at ANZ Stadium on July 13 after being called up for the NSW team in place of Greg Bird.Wade has definitely deserved his spot, it is great to see him in the team and to be playing alongside him again, Frizell said.Frizell, who looks to have a long Blues career ahead of him, received widespread praise for his Origin debut.It was pretty hard, I am not used to that kind of stuff, he saidI tried to stay away from social media. It was nice to get messages from friends and family applauding your performance but it would have been much nicer to get the win up there. ' ' '