PITTSBURGH — Cade Horton wanted this.

Ever since the Chicago Cubs drafted him in the first round three years ago, Horton envisioned helping them get back to the postseason and experience October baseball. His dominant rookie season has played a key role in positioning the Cubs for the playoffs with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season.

In a marquee matchup opposite National League Cy Young Award front-runner Paul Skenes, Horton held the Pittsburgh Pirates to one run and three hits in five innings. The Cubs tallied 14 hits en route to a 4-1 victory. The bullpen was again brilliant, combining to toss four shutout innings in which they allowed just one baserunner, didn’t walk a batter and struck out six.

“I love pitching in high-stakes moments,” Horton said. “I feel like

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