Cubs fall to Astros 7-4 on June 28 as Cade Horton struggles on the mound. Despite the loss, Nico Hoerner's bat stays hot in a potent offensive display.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic 'good news, bad news' night in Houston. The bad news hit hard, as a disastrous start from rookie Cade Horton dug a hole the Chicago Cubs couldn't climb out of, leading to a 7-4 series-opening loss to the Astros. The good news? Even on a night where the pitching faltered, the offense showed its trademark firepower, with Nico Hoerner staying hot and rookie Matt Shaw looking more comfortable than ever at the big league level.
With 67 RBI on the season, Keiya Suzuki now leads the entire National League, a testament to the Cubs' relentless offensive attack.
All eyes were on Cade Horton Saturday, and unfortunately, it was for all the wrong reasons. The rookie right-hander was hit hard and early, surrendering seven runs on eight hits and four walks in just four innings. The big blows were a pair of three-run homers, one to Yainer Diaz and another to former Cub Cam Smith, which proved to be the difference. This outing ballooned Horton's ERA to 4.80 and marks 10 earned runs in his last 8.2 innings. With veteran Shota Imanaga nearing a return from the IL, Horton's spot in the starting five is now in serious jeopardy as the team brass looks for stability.
While the pitching struggled, the offense refused to go quietly. Nico Hoerner continued his torrid pace, launching a solo shot in the fifth and extending his streak of hitting safely in 14 of his last 16 games. He's batting a sizzling .351 in that stretch. The biggest bright spot, however, was fellow infielder Matt Shaw. The highly-touted rookie drove in three of the team's four runs with a pair of doubles, showcasing the offensive potential that has scouts buzzing. It was a quiet night for Kyle Tucker in his return to Houston, as he went hitless but did make a key defensive play early on. Even in a loss, seeing the top and bottom of the order contribute is a positive sign.
Matt Shaw's big night is a microcosm of the larger story for the Cubs organization: the future is incredibly bright. The team's farm system was just ranked No. 3 in all of baseball, trailing only the Tigers and White Sox. While top prospects like Shaw, Owen Caissie, and Moises Ballesteros are already knocking on the door at Triple-A, the depth continues to shine at every level. Just today, shortstop prospect Cristian Hernandez smashed a two-run homer for the South Bend Cubs. This constant wave of talent, combined with an already prolific MLB offense led by MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong and NL RBI leader Keiya Suzuki, ensures the Cubs are built to win now and for years to come.
Saturday's loss stings, a clear reminder that even the best offenses can't win every night without solid pitching. The focus now shifts to Colin Rea, who will take the mound tomorrow with the goal of evening the series and washing away the taste of tonight's defeat. The big question moving forward will be how the Cubs handle the rotation upon Imanaga's return, but fans can take solace in the fact that their first-place team has the offensive firepower and organizational depth to weather these bumps in the road.
