DETROIT — A three-game series against the top team in the American League knocked the Cubs out of their spot atop the National League.
Their 4-0 loss to the Tigers (43-24) in the rubber match Sunday gave the Cubs a 40-25 record. The Mets (42-24) sped past them with a three-game sweep of the Rockies.
“I’ve played in Detroit plenty,” said right-hander Jameson Taillon, who pitched Saturday. “I’ve never seen the stadium like this, with this kind of energy, which is really cool. So in that sense, I think it’s cool that two great teams are going up against each other.”
The matchup of first-place teams drew plenty of attention. There were sellout crowds every day, with a total paid attendance of 121,509.
“Playoff atmosphere,” Cubs catcher Carson Kelly said. “You continue to take care of business, and you see how taking advantage of those mistakes from the other side is really magnified. They took advantage of those mistakes this series.”
That was especially true in the 3-1 loss Friday, when the Cubs, who have prided themselves on being detail-oriented on the basepaths and defense, wavered slightly on both. Their bats showed up in the 6-1 win Saturday with five home runs, but they fell quiet again Sunday.
“Hopefully we’ll get to face them again at some point,” Kelly said, flashing a knowing smile.
The Cubs don’t face the Tigers again during the regular season. So if the teams meet again this year, it’ll be in the World Series.
Horton takes first loss
Cubs rookie Cade Horton had the worst start of his young major-league career, and it wasn’t all that bad.
He allowed a career-high four runs in five innings, navigating traffic for much of the outing.
“Fastball execution wasn’t there today,” he said. “Gave him the momentum early.”
Horton gave up a leadoff single to Parker Meadows on a 2-2 fastball down the middle and walked Gleyber Torres to begin the outing. With two outs, he missed over the middle again, and Spencer Torkelson teed off for a two-run double.
Horton allowed two more runs in the fifth, on consecutive base hits by Torres, Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene. After a visit from pitching coach Tommy Hottovy, Horton recorded back-to-back strikeouts to get out of the inning and end his day on a good note.
“Fastballs up,” Horton said of his focus before his next start. “Left a lot down over the plate today, and they got hit. Last week that wasn’t the case. Last week I was executing at the top of the zone, and just didn’t have it today.”
The Cubs have won all five other games in which Horton has appeared.
Imanaga update
Left-hander Shota Imanaga (strained left hamstring) threw a 37-pitch bullpen Saturday at the Cubs’ spring-training complex in Arizona. He’s scheduled to pitch two innings in an Arizona Complex League game Monday.