Cade Horton outduels Paul Skenes as the Cubs beat the Pirates 3-2 on June 13. Pete Crow-Armstrong's clutch hit secures a key NL Central division win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
On a perfect Friday at Wrigley Field, it wasn't a home run barrage but a masterclass in gritty, fundamental baseball that defined the day. The Chicago Cubs stared down Pirates phenom Paul Skenes and didn't blink, grinding out a tense 3-2 victory to extend their home winning streak and tighten their grip on the NL Central. It was a game of inches, a true pitcher's duel that came down to one clutch hit and a bullpen that refused to break.
At the Trade Deadline, teams will probably want some guys that are big league ready, and if we have lots of big league ready players in Triple-A, that helps us a lot.
The marquee matchup was rookie Cade Horton versus the electric Paul Skenes, and it lived up to the hype. While Skenes and his 1.88 ERA are a terrifying sight for any lineup, Horton was more than up to the challenge. The young Cub delivered a crucial quality start, navigating the Pirates' bats with poise to earn his third win of the season. He kept his team in the game, setting the stage for the late-inning drama and proving he belongs in the heat of a pennant race.
With the game knotted at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh, the Friendly Confines held its breath. Up stepped Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has been the team's offensive engine all season. PCA delivered yet again, lacing a go-ahead RBI single that proved to be the game-winner. His clutch hit, which pushed his RBI total to a team-leading 57, was the perfect example of his breakout season. From there, the Cubs' bullpen slammed the door, preserving the one-run lead and securing a hard-fought victory.
This win wasn't just another notch in the belt; it was a statement. At 42-27, the Cubs are firmly in control of the division, powered by a balanced attack featuring stalwarts like Nico Hoerner (.285 AVG) and aces like Jameson Taillon (7 wins). But the truly exciting part is what lies beneath the surface. Even after trading a top prospect for Kyle Tucker, the Cubs' farm system is tied for the most Top 100 prospects in baseball. As farm director Jason Kanzler noted, this incredible depth of near-ready talent gives the front office a treasure chest of assets heading into the trade deadline, allowing them to bolster the big-league club without mortgaging the future.
With another tough divisional game in the books, the Cubs have proven they can win in multiple ways—through power, through pitching, and through sheer grit. As they continue this series against the Pirates and inch closer to the trade deadline, their combination of present-day success and future-proof depth makes them one of the most compelling teams in baseball. The North Side is buzzing, and all eyes are on what this balanced, talented club does next.
