In this instance, the Cubs are catering to their baseball gym rats and acknowledging Wrigley Field’s unpredictable park factors. That focus and attention to detail have the first-place Cubs off and running, leading the majors with 44 stolen bases in 29 games and an 88 percent success rate that is also the highest in the game.

The Chicago Cubs are set to begin a three-game series at home against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, but the first game will start delayed due to rain in Chicago.

The Chicago Cubs fell on Sunday Night Baseball to the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing three ill-timed walks and a lack of offense to set the tone of defeat in extra innings.