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Last Friday, it was Ben Brown stepping up against the best pitcher in the American League.
A week later, another young Cubs starter got to test his mettle against the best pitcher in the National League.
The Cubs have seen plenty of Paul Skenes to know he’s a tough nut to crack. In fact, the Cy Young candidate has now faced them more than any other team in his career.
But in a performance reminiscent of Brown’s seven innings of two-run ball throwing against Tarik Skubal, rookie Cade Horton turned in 5 2/3 scoreless innings against Skenes’ Pirates on Friday, allowing just three hits in the Cubs’ 2-1 extra-inning loss.