Night games at Wrigley - for better or worse

The Cubs turned on the lights for the first time at Wrigley Field on Aug. 8, 1988 – though, of course, didn’t get that first game in until the next day.

A long-standing debate has held that the Cubs’ century of despair has been due, in large part, to all those day games. The theory being that playing in the summer heat – and staying out late after – and starting at myriad times taxes the Cubs more than other teams.

Does that theory play out? Graphics Editor Max Rust broke down the numbers, looking at how the Cubs have done since turning on the lights:

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