4 players keeping the Cubs afloat as stars continue to struggle

It is no secret that the Chicago Cubs are stuck in their worst stretch of the season. A series loss to the Toronto Blue Jays was the fifth in their last seven series and the Cubs just can't get any sort of momentum going.

Part of that is due to the recent slumps from multiple of Chicago's superstars. The production from Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong has fallen off a cliff in the second half of the season. There have, though, been some players that haven't fallen victim to the slump and if it weren't for these four players, the Cubs season may already be over.

Nico Hoerner

Hoerner has probably been the most consistent hitter in the lineup throughout the season. He's produced in any spot in the lineup and he just puts his head down and plays solid baseball every day.

The veteran second baseman entered Friday hitting .292 with 19 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 22 stolen bases. Mix that with his Gold Glove caliber defense at second base and you have one of the most solid all-around players on the team.

Mix that with his Gold Glove caliber defense and you have one of the most solid all-around players on the team.

Cade Horton

Simply put, Horton has been the Cubs' best pitcher since the All-Star break. By no means is that a shot at left-hander and All-Star Matthew Boyd, but Horton has simply been better in the recent part of the season.

After a dominant start on Wednesday, Horton's ERA over his last five starts decreased to 0.32. He is beginning to show why he entered the season as Chicago's top pitching prospect. The Cubs could very well have a few extra losses if it weren't for Horton's excellence of late.

Matt Shaw

Not only has Shaw been the Cubs best hitter in the second half, but he's been one of the best hitters in all of baseball - and his breakout couldn't have come at a better time for Chicago.

Prior to Thursday's contest, Shaw had the third highest wRC+ since the All-Star break. His emergence as a true threat in Chicago's lineup after a slow start to his career has been a welcome sight.

He leads the Cubs with eight home runs since the All-Star break and his excellent defense at third base makes it hard for manager Craig Counsell to not have Shaw in the lineup every day.

Michael Busch

Busch may be a stretch to put on the list, but the power surge over the last week allowed him to sneak in with the others.

The Cubs' first baseman was bitten by the near teamwide slump this month, but he may finally be coming out of it. He homered twice in Toronto and has three in his last six games.

The .563 SLG over the last seven days is a promising sign and a weekend series against a Pirates pitching staff that entered the weekend ranked 17th in ERA could be what Busch needs to truly prove he's out of the slump.