Is Cade Horton the undisputed #1 starting pitcher in Major League Baseball? No. At least, not yet. But he can certainly lay claim to that title right now, especially after the latest start in his insane second-half run that's mirroring Jake Arrieta's historic second half from a decade ago.
On Tuesday, the Chicago Cubs sent Horton to the mound opposite Cy Young candidate and reigning National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes - and the 24-year-old right-hander delivered, firing five innings of one-run ball and punching out six in a 4-1 Cubs win.
Meanwhile, Skenes' inexplicable struggles against Chicago continued, with the Cubs roughing him up for three earned on seven hits in just 3 2/3 innings of work.