Chicago Cubs Defeat Pirates 4-1 Behind Michael Busch’s Leadoff Homer, Move Closer to Playoff Berth – Game Recap 9/16/25

Tuesday, September 16th, 2025

Chicago Cubs Defeat Pittsburgh Pirates, Move Closer to Playoff Berth

The Chicago Cubs continued their momentum toward their first playoff appearance in five years by securing a 4-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Michael Busch set the tone early by launching his fourth career leadoff home run, marking his 29th of the season and flying it to the final row above the Clemente Wall in right field. Busch contributed three hits in total as the Cubs notched their sixth win in seven games.

Cubs Magic Number Down to One

With this win, Chicago’s magic number for clinching a postseason berth narrowed to just one. Cade Horton, bolstering his NL Rookie of the Year campaign, delivered a solid performance by allowing only one run over five innings. The young pitcher now boasts an impressive 8-1 record with a 0.92 ERA since the All-Star break.

Nico Hoerner also added three hits, while Carson Kelly, Dansby Swanson, and Mosies Ballesteros each contributed two hits in a well-rounded offensive effort. Brad Keller came on in the ninth and delivered a perfect inning to record his fourth save of the season.

Paul Skenes Stumbles in Rare Off Night

Pirates starter Paul Skenes, recently seen as a frontrunner for the NL Cy Young and poised to match Dwight Gooden’s historic back-to-back Rookie of the Year and Cy Young seasons, experienced an uncommon slip. Skenes allowed three runs on seven hits with three walks and six strikeouts before being pulled after just 3 2/3 innings — his shortest non-ceremonial outing yet.

The defeat dropped the Pirates to ten losses in their last eleven games, deepening their struggles at the bottom of the division.

Key Moment

Busch’s 385-foot home run on the fourth pitch foreshadowed Chicago’s offensive night. Later in the same inning, Pete Crow-Armstrong singled home Ian Happ, inflicting only the second and third first-inning runs scored on Skenes all season.

Key Stat

Despite the loss, Skenes reached 209 strikeouts for the season, just one shy of Mitch Keller’s franchise record for a right-handed pitcher set over the Pirates’ 137-year history.

Up Next

The Cubs and Pirates will wrap up their season series on Wednesday. Chicago will send Matthew Boyd (13-8, 3.05 ERA) to the mound against Pittsburgh’s Johan Oviedo (2-0, 2.81 ERA).

In summary

The Chicago Cubs moved within one win of clinching a playoff spot after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1, powered by Michael Busch’s leadoff home run and a strong outing from rookie Cade Horton. Paul Skenes struggled for the Pirates in a brief, uncharacteristic start, as Pittsburgh’s slump continued. With the Cubs’ lineup performing efficiently and the pitching staff delivering, Chicago fans can taste the postseason after a five-year absence. The teams will face off one final time this season with the Cubs aiming to seal their playoff fate.

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