Cubs Road Ahead: Pitching and defense carrying slumping offense

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CSN's JJ Stankevitz and Tony Andracki talk about whether the Cubs' pitching and defense can continue to pick up the offense in the latest Cubs Road Ahead, presented by Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Honda Dealers.

The Cubs opened the second half of the season by taking two of three on the road from the Atlanta Braves thanks in large part to their stellar pitching and defense. Jon Lester is starting to look like the ace the Cubs paid him to be while Jake Arrieta continues to pitch like the "elite" pitcher manager Joe Maddon believes he's evolving into.

But their offense has been slumping as of late, and they've seen their team batting average dip to .239, which ranks 26th in the majors, because of it.

[NBC SPORTS SHOP: Gear up, Cubs fans!

Fortunately for the Cubs, they haven't needed much run support. But if they start to get it and their offense can complement their pitching and defense, look out, National League.

"The Cubs offense has kind of been a little rusty probably for the last month or so, but the pitching has stepped it up," Andracki said. "Jake Arrieta has been phenomenal. Jon Lester has been fantastic again in the month of July after having a rough June. If the offense can kind of match what the pitching is doing, the Cubs can gel on all cylinders (and) that'd be a scary team."

See what else Stankevitz and Andracki had to say in the video above.

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