Horton extends second-half surge, puts Cubs on verge of playoffs

PITTSBURGH -- When Cubs rookie Cade Horton walked off the mound on July 9 after just 4 2/3 innings in his final start of the first half, not even the highest of optimists could have predicted the turnaround he had in store.

At the time, Horton sported a 4.45 ERA and was struggling to replicate the same command that helped him find so much success at the Minor League level. Yet, just over two months later, the 24-year-old right-hander has paved himself a road that could see him secure the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

Horton strengthened his case Tuesday night in the Cubs’ 4-1 victory over the Pirates at PNC Park. He posted his 11th consecutive start with two or fewer runs allowed.

The victory put the Cubs in position to clinch a postseason berth as soon as Wednesday.

Horton wasn't as sharp out of the gate as has become customary, but he was able to work around trouble on multiple occasions to keep Pittsburgh from posting a big inning.

“I just wanted to keep attacking,” said Horton. “Give up a run and just stay composed, just control what I can control and go from there.”

In a 27-pitch first inning, Horton allowed a pair of hits, including an RBI triple off the top of the right-field fence by Oneil Cruz. He settled in with a one-two-three second inning on just nine pitches. Then, after allowing a pair of baserunners in the third, Horton recorded back-to-back strikeouts over Bryan Reynolds (swinging) and Cruz (looking) to escape the jam.

Horton finished his five-inning outing on his own terms by retiring the final eight batters he faced.

Horton’s final line included just the one run, three hits, one walk and six strikeouts on 79 pitches. He checked another box by outdueling NL Cy Young frontrunner Paul Skenes, who lasted just 3 2/3 innings in his shortest outing of the season.

The Cubs supplied Horton with plenty of run support early in the game. First baseman Michael Busch led off the game with a home run. Later in the first, Ian Happ walked and scored on a two-out hit by Pete Crow-Armstrong. The Cubs picked up another run in the fourth and fifth innings.

Between multiple innings of 20-plus pitches and long layoffs while his team rallied on offense, Horton was unable to find the kind of rhythm that would allow him to pitch deep into the game. However, in this case, that isn't necessarily a bad thing, manager Craig Counsell said.

“He hasn't had that inning really at all this year, so I’m glad he had the inning,” Counsell said. “They did a really good job extending at-bats in the first inning. They laid off some pitches; they foulled off a ton of pitches. He gave up a run, but he limited the damage. That's an inning you're going to have to go through.”

Experience battling through strenuous innings is something that could prove valuable in October.

“I love pitching in high-stakes moments,” Horton said. “I feel like it’s something I’ve loved my whole career. It’s a lot of fun to go out there and compete when you’re in the thick of it.”

Horton has been one of MLB’s most dominant arms since that July 9 start. He has a 0.93 ERA in 11 starts since the All-Star break, the lowest second-half mark since 2019 (Jack Flaherty, 0.91).

Horton’s competition for Rookie of the Year includes a pair of position players, Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (.266 batting average, 16 home runs, 69 RBIs) and Brewers outfielder Isaac Collins (.270 batting average, nine home runs, 54 RBIs).

The Cubs hurler has the full endorsement of both his skipper and power-hitting first baseman.

“Cade has had a brilliant second half,” Counsell said. “… There’s nothing you can't like about it. He’s been as good as anybody in the game.”

Added Busch: “Incredible. To be able to kind of do what he’s doing … that four-seamer, I know I’m at first base watching it, but I’m glad I don't have to be in the box against it. It’s a really legit pitch. Just the command, the ability to just go out there every day and throw strikes and pound the zone -- it’s fun to watch.”