In
baseball terminology, to put
runners on base early in an
inning (before there are two outs), preferably before your better (
power) hitters bat.
Statistically, a team's chances for scoring runs increase dramatically if they have two or more runners on base with less than two outs.
Leads to this kind of dialogue :
"Well, Brad, the Blue Jays have set the table in front of Delgado, let's see if he can chase those runners home."