How the Chicago Cubs’ aggressive base-running approach — ‘pushing the envelope’ — is paying off

SAN DIEGO — The Chicago Cubs needed a ninth-inning rally, and catcher Willson Contreras saw an opportunity.

Contreras motored from first to third base on a two-out Ian Happ single to right field Tuesday at Petco Park, putting the tying run 90 feet from home. Although they ultimately would lose to the San Diego Padres on Frank Schwindel’s flyout to the wall after Patrick Wisdom was hit to load the bases, base-running plays like Contreras’ have became a staple of the Cubs’ offensive profile.

“That’s going to be part of some of the risks that we’re going to take this season is just trying to maximize the areas where we can take chances,” manager David Ross said this week. “For us to compete, we’ve got to do that a little bit more and take some chances in areas. … Guys have done a nice job of pushing the envelope.”

The Cubs have been one of the best teams at taking extra bases. Their 52% Extra Bases Taken Percentage (XBT%) is third highest in the majors, well above the average of 43%. With a runner on first, a Cubs base runner has advanced to third or scored 23 times, tying them for second most in those situations.

For an offense averaging 2.75 runs in the last 20 games, excluding the 21-run game outlier against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cubs could do a better job of taking advantage of when runners are on base. Relying on contact to produce runs makes cashing in when hitters get on base much more important. Entering their weekend series against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, 30% of Cubs base runners have scored after reaching; the MLB average is 31%.

First-base coach Mike Napoli has taken on base running among his duties. Despite being a catcher-turned-first baseman, Napoli was known for his stellar base running during his 12-year MLB career. He recalled how after the Los Angeles Angels drafted him, the organization prioritized base running. Players weren’t going to reach the big leagues if they weren’t good on the basepaths.

Napoli always felt pride in that area of his game. He took more chances on the bases while in the minors to figure out which situations he could take an extra base. So when he was called up for the first time in 2006 after six years in the minors, Napoli already understood his base running strengths and techniques.

Part of Napoli and the Cubs’ base-running teaching process involves highlighting a smart play or when someone makes a mistake, whether its from their team or an opponent. It provides concrete examples of what the Cubs want from their base runners. Sound base running technique also helps third-base coach Willie Harris’ in-game decision-making for when to send a runner home.

“I was a bigger guy, wasn’t the fastest, but I try to explain to these guys, it’s just anticipation, knowing the game, knowing situations and thinking about getting 90 feet because 90 feet can win you a baseball game,” Napoli told the Tribune. “We won playoff games when I played because someone got an extra 90 feet. The importance of that has been lost a little bit in the game today.

“A lot of guys go through the minor leagues, and it’s two years in the minors and then they’re in the big leagues. … It’s a little bit harder trying to teach it at the big-league level because it all counts.”

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Cubs players appreciate the base-running work Napoli puts in behind the scenes. He watches video trying to find any edge. He wants players to be armed with as much information as possible to internalize for those split-second decisions. Among the intel included on a preseries scouting report on opposing outfielders: arm strength, how each outfielder moves directionally to the ball and who they can run on.

“You’re going until they stop you — until they secure the ball and shut you down you’re ‘yes’ all the way until the last second,” second baseman Nick Madrigal said. “If they bobble it, I want to be on the next next bag.

“That sort of style play, we’ve got some guys that are very athletic, able to run, and that’s how we’re going to score the most runs by being aggressive on the base paths. Every opportunity we get we’re going to be aggressive and try to put pressure on the defense out there.”

Contreras has been one of the Cubs’ most successful aggressive runners while limiting mistakes. He leads the team with seven bases taken, including three on first-to-third or scoring. Wisdom and Seiya Suzuki rank second with four.

The Cubs’ aggressiveness has a drawback at times. They have committed too many base-running mistakes. The Cubs’ 13 Outs on Base (OOB) are tied for the third most in the majors. These do not include pickoffs, caught stealing or forceouts. Five have occurred at second base (tied for first) and four at third (tied for second).

Finding a balance between smart aggressiveness and being responsible on the bases is a middle ground the Cubs are trying to navigate.

“It is important to have guys in motion, especially as much we put the ball on the ground,” Ross said. “And as much as we make contact that the more we can get action on the bases, that will help us stay out of double plays more.”