Strong pitching and high-scoring offense have the Cubs surging despite injuries originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Chicago Cubs were dealt a huge blow when they learned they would be without pitcher Cade Horton for the remainder of the season, a few weeks ago. He tore his UCL and underwent Tommy John surgery, but that isn't stopping them.They won a series against the Tampa Bay Rays, but lost one against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

But they would bounce back in a huge way last week, taking a series from the Philadelphia Phillies and then sweeping the New York Mets. Pitching was especially big for the club over the weekend. Jameson Taillon went six strong innings on Saturday, while Javier Assad went 5.2 innings, giving up just one run on three hits in the 2-1 extra-inning win on Sunday.

MORE: Pete Crow-Armstrong's offense is a concerning problem for CubsStrong pitching and high-scoring offense have the Cubs surging despite injuriesOn top of solid pitching, the Cubs have gotten good offensive production last week. Nico Hoerner has really stepped up lately, hitting two home runs and having 11 runs batted in over the last five games. This winning stretch has helped the Cubs get right back in the thick of things in the NL Central.

They sit just 1.5-games out of first place, and Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter is happy with what he has seen from the club lately. "The Cubs have won five straight after sweeping the Mets. They scored 33 runs in three games to kick off that streak before strong performances on the mound from Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad over the weekend.

Losing Cade Horton for the year to Tommy John surgery is a major blow, but they just played their best baseball of the season last week."The Cubs will have to keep this up because they face a major test here soon. They take on the Phillies once again in a four-game series this week before heading to L.A. to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers and then a three-game series against the San Diego Padres to end the month. More MLB news:Bullpen implosions aren't making things easier for the White SoxPhillies' season spiraling as run differential hits rock bottomRoyals' bullpen is doing them no favors as they fall to last place in AL CentralMets fans won't like seeing where their team sits in latest power rankingsDiamondbacks earn 'A-' grade while weathering a storm of injuries