The Chicago Cubs sent their best pitcher since the All-Star break out to the mound on Tuesday to face Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cubs' pitcher Cade Horton delivered another fantastic outing, as he's done the entire second half of the season. Horton threw five innings and gave up one run on three hits and a walk, and struck out six batters.
Horton continued his second half success, dropping his season ERA to 2.66 and his ERA since the All-Star break to 0.93.
Horton Joins Elite Company
Horton delivered another strong outing for the Cubs on Tuesday, helping Chicago take one step closer to securing a playoff spot in 2025.
The Cubs' rookie outdueled Skenes, who came into the game with a MLB-leading 1.92 ERA, on the mound. Horton also joined elite company with his start on Tuesday.
The Cubs' 24-year-old became just the second pitcher in the MLB's modern era to have at least eight wins and allow six or fewer runs over an 11-start span in a single season, according to OptaSTATS. The only other pitcher to do so was Bob Gibson in 1968.
Cade Horton second half:
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) September 17, 2025
58.1 IP
52 K
0.93 ERA
0.79 WHIP
Jake Arrieta is the only other Cubs SP since 1920 with an 11-start stretch allowing 6 ER or fewer. pic.twitter.com/Q04jhhWG7T
Horton has been phenomenal the entire second half of the season for the Cubs, putting himself near the top of the National League Rookie of the Year race. On Tuesday, he walked into PNC Park and walked out with a win over the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, and the best pitcher, ERA-wise, in baseball.
The Cubs jumped on Skenes early, scoring multiple runs in the first inning off of the Pirates' ace for the first time in his career. The Pirates responded with a run in the bottom of the innings, but that would be all for the entire night.
Tonight is gonna be a fun one.
— Barstool Chicago (@barstoolchicago) September 16, 2025
Cade Horton Paul Skenes
.84 ERA post-ASB 1.92 ERA all year
Best in the MLB Best in the MLB pic.twitter.com/RFmT9hMky7
Chicago added another run in the second inning and made Skenes work to get every out. The reigning Rookie of the Year didn't make it through the fourth inning before he was pulled after throwing 92 pitches.
Horton finished five innings and earned the win, getting his eighth win in his last 10 starts.
The 4-1 win brought the Cubs' magic number down to one, and Chicago will be back at it tomorrow morning in Pittsburgh in attempt to clinch its playoff berth.