Cade Horton’s Record-Breaking Streak Surpasses Paul Skenes Dominance

Right-handed pitcher Cade Horton continued his scoreless streak on Wednesday and now has the longest scoreless streak by a Chicago Cubs rookie in franchise history. Horton earned his sixth victory of the season, tossing 5.2 shutout innings as he led the Cubs to a 6-1 win, salvaging the series finale against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field.

Horton’s record-breaking streak began at the end of his start against the Minnesota Twins, but his dominance started on July 20, against the Boston Red Sox. Unfortunately, the Cubs lost that game, but the rookie went toe-to-toe against Garrett Crochet, only allowing two hits in 5.2 innings. The righty then shut down the Chicago White Sox, who at the time had the hottest offense in baseball coming out of the break. That was his second longest start of the season as Horton went 6.1 scoreless in a 6-1 win.

Then, after the trade deadline Horton out-pitched Trevor Rogers as the Cubs held on for a 1-0 win. Then, when the Cubs desperately needed a win Horton once again stepped up on Wednesday and shut down the Reds, while the offense finally responded against Andrew Abbott.

Horton was sharp from beginning to end, only giving up a pair of hits, while striking out six batters and walking none. He threw 67 pitches and 56 were for strikes. An incredible start, which has arguably been the best one so far in his rookie campaign.

Cade Horton’s Rookie Record Scoreless Streak
July 20: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
July 26: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Aug. 1: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
Aug. 6: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K

In Horton’s last six starts he’s only given up four earned runs and all those came in one game against the Minnesota Twins on July 9. Prior to that, Horton pitched a season-long seven scoreless innings against the Cleveland Guardians, a game that the Cubs won 1-0 in extra innings.

If you go back to June, Horton has six starts of going at least five innings and allowing no runs. No other pitcher in baseball has more than five during that span, including Paul Skenes.

That sixth scoreless start came on June 13, when Horton and Skenes squared off at Wrigley Field. Skenes lasted five innings, while Horton shut down the Pittsburgh Pirates over 5.2 innings.

The rookie threw 29 innings at Triple-A to begin the 2025 season before he was called up in May. In 2024, Horton only tossed 34.1 innings with the Iowa Cubs before a shoulder injury shut him down for most of the year.

It might be frustrating for Cubs fans to see Craig Counsell come out and take the ball from Horton despite his effectiveness, but the team is sticking to their plan.

The Cubs will need him for a pennant chase and (possibly) a postseason run. Pulling him early in August is a sacrifice the team’s willing to make.

“We want a healthy Cade Horton, a strong Cade Horton for the rest of the season,” Counsell said. “So, we’re going to have to make some tough decisions. That’s just part of it, and it’s the right thing to do for the team and for Cade.”

Horton is now down to a 3.18 ERA in 79.1 innings this year and although he’s reaching new highs in innings pitched, the right-hander out of Oklahoma is getting better on the mound. The Cubs are certainly hoping Horton will continue to pitch well down the stretch because after the Michael Soroka injury the team desperately needs another starting pitcher to depend on. So far, so good with Horton.