Horton (8-4) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out seven over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Angels on Saturday.
Horton was sharp, throwing 55 of 74 pitches for strikes in this 12-1 win. He looked no worse for wear after exiting his last start early due a blister on his right middle finger. This was Horton's fifth scoreless outing in seven starts since the All-Star break -- he's allowed just two runs on 18 hits and 11 walks while racking up 34 strikeouts over 37 innings in that span. For the season, he's at a 2.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 77:29 K:BB through 93.2 innings over 18 appearances (17 starts). The 24-year-old's next start is projected to be on the road in Colorado.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Ready to start Saturday
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed that Horton (finger) will start Saturday's game against the Angels in Anaheim, MLB.com reports.
During his most recent start in Monday's loss to the Brewers, Horton was lifted in the third inning due to a minor blister on his pitching hand. Counsell acknowledged that the rookie had dealt with a blister in the same spot in the past, but the righty apparently checked out fine during his between-starts bullpen session and will take the hill Saturday for his 18th outing of the season. Horton has been the Cubs' top-performing starter since the All-Star break, going 4-1 with an 0.58 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB in 31 innings.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Tending to blister on middle finger
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The Cubs announced that Horton was removed in the third inning of his start in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Brewers due to a blister on his right middle finger, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Horton was visited on the mound on three occasions during the afternoon before he was lifted from the contest after recording three strikeouts and allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk across 2.2 innings. Though the blister isn't a major health concern for the young hurler, it could jeopardize his availability for his next turn through the rotation, which is expected to come this weekend versus the Angels. If Horton ends up requiring a stint on the injured list, the Cubs could recall Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa to replace the rookie in the rotation.
Cubs' Cade Horton: Exits start with apparent blister
Rotowire
Horton was removed from his start in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Brewers midway through the third inning due to an apparent blister on his pitching hand, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports. He struck out three batters and gave up one run on four hits and one walk over 2.2 frames prior to departing the contest.
The Cubs will likely provide clarity later Monday regarding whether Horton was battling a blister or some other kind of health concern, but the rookie was pulled from the contest after he was visited twice on the mound by Craig Counsell and a team trainer and on an another occasion by pitching coach Tommy Hottovy. Prior to Monday's twin bill, Horton had been the Cubs' top performing starter since the All-Star break, having posted a microscopic 0.32 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 28.1 innings over his last five starts. After exiting with a 1-0 deficit, Horton will be on the hook for his fourth loss of the season if the Cubs are unable to tie the game or take the lead at any point in the remainder of the contest.
Horton (7-3) earned the win Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on one hit and two walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.
Horton opened his outing with five hitless frames, and he ultimately set a season best in hits allowed. The eight strikeouts also established a season high, and the rookie right-hander has now thrown at least five innings while surrendering one run or fewer in five consecutive starts. Horton has a sparkling 1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB over 40 innings since the start of July, though he'll face a tough assignment at home versus the surging Brewers for his next scheduled appearance.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Horton's name came up in discussions before last week's trade deadline, but the team was unwilling to move the young pitcher, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Chicago was reportedly interested in All-Stars MacKenzie Gore and Joe Ryan, but it appears acquiring either pitcher would have required moving Horton, and the team was unwilling to do so. Horton has rewarded the club's faith recently, as the rookie has rattled off four consecutive scoreless starts totaling 22.2 innings. On the season, the 23-year-old righty has an impressive 3.18 ERA across 79.1 innings. While Gore or Ryan would have provided the Cubs' rotation with a bigger name for the stretch run, the team clearly sees long-term ace potential in Horton.
Cubs' Cade Horton: Extends scoreless streak in win
Rotowire
Horton (6-3) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two hits over 5.2 innings in a 6-1 victory over the Reds. He struck out six without walking a batter.
The rookie right-hander extended his scoreless streak to 23.1 innings with another sharp performance, and he didn't issue a free pass for the first time since May 16. Over his four-start shutout stretch, Horton has posted a 0.75 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB, and he's won his last three trips to the mound. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Toronto.
Horton (5-3) picked up the win in Friday's 1-0 victory over the Orioles, allowing two hits and three walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out three.
A Baltimore lineup that got depleted at the trade deadline was no match for Horton and the Cubs bullpen, with the rookie right-hander generating 24 called or swinging strikes in only 71 pitches (44 total strikes). Horton extended his scoreless streak to 17.2 innings with the performance, and on the season he sports a 3.42 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 53:25 K:BB through 73.2 innings. He'll look to produce more goose eggs in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Reds.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Another sharp outing
Rotowire
Horton (4-3) earned the win against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three across 6.1 scoreless innings.
It was another strong start for Horton, who limited the White Sox to just five baserunners while tossing 84 pitches (56 strikes). The 2022 first-round pick has yielded zero runs in three of his last four starts, which now has him at a 3.67 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 68.2 innings this season. It was Horton's first win since June 3 against the Nationals, and he'll look to make it two in a row in his next start, which is slated for next weekend at home against the Orioles.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Excellent in no-decision
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Horton didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Boston, allowing two hits and three walks across 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out four.
Horton has endured a rollercoaster stretch on the mound, logging three scoreless starts in his last six appearances while allowing at least four runs in the other three. Despite some excellent individual performances, Horton hasn't added a tally to the win column in seven outings. Overall, the 23-year-old owns a 4.04 ERA and a 47:21 K:BB across 62.1 innings. He's slated to make his next start against the White Sox.
