Steal opportunities in NLDS hard to come by for Dodgers

ST. LOUIS -- The Dodgers led the National League this year with 138 stolen bases, but after two games of the NL Division Series and 30 baserunners, the Dodgers had one steal by Hanley Ramirez.

One reason for the lack of running is Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who discourages plenty of basestealers with the help of a pitching staff that holds runners well and delivers to home quickly.

Of course, Dodgers leadoff hitter Dee Gordon had 64 of those regular-season steals, and he went 1-for-9 in the first two playoff games with a walk and four strikeouts.

"The right guys have to get on, too," manager Don Mattingly said Monday. "We only had a few guys that run for us, so we talked about it before, too, the pitchers are going to dictate if we run or not. And then the right guys have to be on.

"It sounds good to go steal bases, but you've got to get people on and you've got to get the right guys on that actually steal bases."