• Cubs secure a gritty 3-2 victory over the rival Pirates.
• Rookie Cade Horton outpitched Pirates ace Paul Skenes, allowing two runs over six innings with seven strikeouts.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his 17th home run of the season.
• Seiya Suzuki delivered the game-winning RBI single in the seventh inning.
• The win demonstrates the first-place Cubs' resilience and character in a close game.

Some wins just feel different. Friday night at Wrigley was one of them. In a tense, nail-biting affair that felt more like October than June, the Cubs scraped and clawed their way to a 3-2 victory over the rival Pirates. It wasn't a blowout; it was a character-defining win, a pitching duel between rookie Cade Horton and Pirates ace Paul Skenes that showcased exactly the kind of resilience this first-place team is built on.

'We found a way to win a close one, and that's what good teams do.' - Craig Counsell

Horton Holds His Own in Pitching Duel

All eyes were on the mound as Cubs rookie Cade Horton faced off against the electric Paul Skenes. While Skenes was as advertised with his blistering fastball, Horton was the one who walked away with the 'W'. The young righty was composed and effective, navigating the Pirates lineup for six strong innings, allowing just two runs while striking out seven. The offense provided just enough support, with Pete Crow-Armstrong launching his 17th homer of the season to keep the Cubs in it. But the game's pivotal moment came in the seventh, when Seiya Suzuki stepped to the plate with the score tied and delivered a go-ahead RBI single that proved to be the game-winner.

Bullpen Slams the Door

A one-run lead against a division rival requires a lockdown bullpen, and that's exactly what the Cubs got. After a tense eighth inning where the Pirates threatened, a slick double play started by Dansby Swanson snuffed out the rally and preserved the lead. Craig Counsell then handed the ball to his closer, Adbert Alzolay, for the ninth. Alzolay was simply dominant, striking out two in a perfect frame to nail down his 18th save and send the Wrigley faithful home happy.

Winning Now, Stockpiled for Later

The victory wasn't the only good news for Cubs fans on Friday. Reports confirmed that even after dealing prospect Cam Smith for Kyle Tucker, the Cubs' farm system remains an embarrassment of riches. The organization boasts seven players on MLB's Top 100 prospects list, tied for the most in baseball. This incredible depth isn't just about the future; it's a massive asset for the present. As farm director Jason Kanzler explained, having a wealth of 'big league ready players' in Triple-A gives the front office immense flexibility as the trade deadline approaches. Whether they need to call up an injury replacement or package prospects for another star, the Cubs are in the driver's seat.

This Friday in June felt like a perfect snapshot of the 2025 Cubs: a team that can win tough, gritty games on the field, backed by an organization with the depth to sustain that success. With a 42-27 record and a firm grip on the NL Central lead, the focus now turns to winning the series against Pittsburgh. But as the trade deadline inches closer, it's clear the Cubs are not only built to win now but have all the pieces they need to make a serious push for a championship.