Cade Horton and Cubs Head to NY!
By: Arthur Caron

Are the Cubs and Cade Horton ready to take a bite out of the Big Apple? The first-place Chicago Cubs (22–16) travel to New York to take on the first-place Mets (24–14) for a weekend series, but the Cubs arrive on a bit of a downturn, having dropped two of three to the San Francisco Giants earlier in the week; not to mention their rotation is in flux after losing starter Shota Imanaga to the injured list (Grade 1 hamstring strain). 

But, where there is pain, there is also potential! Cade Horton is traveling with the team, and it’s possible he will make his MLB debut on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Mets are coming off a series win on the road in Arizona.

Game 1 Friday, 6:10 PM CST

Cubs Starter: Jameson Taillon (2–1, 2.86 ERA)

Mets Starter: Clay Holmes (4–1, 2.95 ERA)

Players to Watch:

Cubs: 
Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, and Seiya Suzuki are a combined 2‑for‑12 against Holmes in their careers. If the Cubs can shake off their offensive funk, these three will need to lead the charge.

Mets: 
Juan Soto has struggled against Taillon, going just 1‑for‑11 with five strikeouts. To bolster their 13–3 home record, the Mets will need their $700 million man to perform up to his payroll.

Game 2 – Saturday, 6:15 PM CST

Cubs Starter: (TBD) 

Mets Starter: Tylor Megill (3–2, 2.50 ERA)

Players to Watch:

Cubs: 
Horton, the Cubs’ top pitching prospect and No. 46 on MLB’s top‑100 list, may indeed get the Saturday start. He has been stellar in AAA (2–1, 1.24 ERA; 33 K in 29 IP; 0.86 WHIP). If he can maintain his control—allowing just three walks over his last 16.2 innings—he could shine against a first-place lineup.

Mets: 
Pete Alonso has been dominant at Citi Field, hitting .339 with three homers in 56 ABs this season, and .317 with seven homers off right‑handers. Look for the Mets to test Horton’s fastball early; if he misses, Alonso will capitalize.

Game 3 – Sunday, 11:05 AM CST

Cubs Starter: Matthew Boyd (3–2, 2.75 ERA)

Mets Starter: Griffin Canning (5–1, 2.50 ERA)

Players to Watch:

Cubs: 
Kyle Tucker is 4‑for‑15 with two homers and two walks against Canning. Canning has yet to pitch past six innings this season and has issued at least two walks in five of seven starts, so a patient approach could pay dividends.

Mets: 
Francisco Lindor owns a 12‑for‑33 line with two homers and three walks against Boyd in his career. Off to a torrid start at home (.397 with six homers), Lindor’s mix of power and contact will be a constant threat.

Cubs Fans! Do you think Horton will excel against a formidable Mets lineup? Share your thoughts below!