Cade Horton Pulled After 3 Innings, 29 Pitches

Cade Horton allowed a leadoff homer to Francisco Lindor, then a single to Juan Soto, and a deep fly out to Pete Alonso that made it seem as though the rookie was well off his game. Then he coaxed a shallow fly from Brandon Nimmo before striking out Mark Vientos to escape the inning with just one run on 15 pitches. Horton sat the Mets down in order in both the 2nd and 3rd innings on seven pitches apiece, making this look like yet another supremely efficient start.

That is, until Michael Soroka came out to pitch the 4th inning. Absent an immediate explanation, there were understandable concerns about Horton exiting the game so early. But with Soroka warming in the bullpen while the rookie was still the game, it seems as though this was a situation in which the Cubs being up 5-1 gave Craig Counsell a chance to rest his best starter for the postseason.

More on this as it develops.