Good morning, Bleacher Nation. As the Cubs’ offense has surged back to life, its pitching staff has simultaneously been plagued by injury. It’s been three straight games of double-digit run production, so just keep doing that and everything will be “fine.” Simple enough, right?
On a serious note, though, things could be worse. You could be a Mets fan enduring what’s now a nine-game losing streak.
Alex Bregman just posted a Moisés Ballesteros hype video on his TikTok ? pic.twitter.com/mNF5qhWHJ6
— Jacob Zanolla (@jacobzanolla) April 18, 2026 These bullets are, in part, an appreciation post for Ballesteros. As “old school” or “cliche” as it may sound to some, he really does give off that “born to hit” aura, and Miguel Amaya is here to testify."He rakes … I saw that guy raking since the low levels. He is born to hit."Watch out for Moisés Ballesteros ? pic.twitter.com/Bksn7VgkeA
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 17, 2026 Because there’s always a nit to pick, Craig Counsell subbing in Matt Shaw at DH for the 2-for-2 Ballesteros in the 5th with lefty Sean Manaea on the mound drew the ire of plenty. Counsell has consistently platoon-protected Ballesteros this season, and before yesterday, it provoked me to look up his career MiLB numbers against southpaws, and in 352 at-bats, he hit .255 (90-352). Ballesteros’ 2024 minor league season — split between Double-A and Triple-A — was particularly impressive against lefties as he hit .302/.356/.448 in 96 at-bats. That said, Counsell’s deployment of Matt Shaw in a genuine super utility role means one of the many ways he’ll get into games is platooning at DH with Ballesteros. Short of a slump from Shaw, I don’t see the status quo changing, even though I think Ballesteros is capable of holding his own against southpaws. Starting at 1:35, Counsell is asked about pinch-hitting Shaw for Ballesteros. The Cubs’ wave of pitching injuries got closer Daniel Palencia yesterday, who headed to the 15-day Injured List with an oblique strain. The IL stint is retroactive to April 14, so he can return in 12 days instead of 15, and as tricky as oblique injuries can be I’m choosing to move forward with some optimism after hearing what Craig Counsell and Palencia had to say about it."I want to be smart. I don't want to push it too much. I don't want to (miss too many games)."Daniel Palencia believes his oblique injury just needs a little time before he will be back to normal. t.co/mqC9UQnMoD pic.twitter.com/OwU1uYEKlb
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 17, 2026 After writing up all that love and appreciation for Moises Ballesteros, it felt criminal if I didn’t include a bullet on the greatness of Nico Hoerner…Nico Hoerner has more extra base hits (10) than strikeouts (9).
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) April 18, 2026 Nico has been so good that a former Cub and current Cubs analyst may come to blows arguing over how good he is…Hey @LanceBroz it’s one thing to put words in my mouth on a podcast episode or if we’re having some fun, but to do it on a network broadcast ain’t it …..Get my number from @CliffFloyd30 let’s talk pic.twitter.com/U6T4hdVeKg
— Eric Hosmer (@TheRealHoz35) April 17, 2026 A cold front moved through the Midwest yesterday afternoon/evening, so the last two games of this series will feature chilly temperatures. Probably a good thing with Jameson Taillon taking on Freddy Peralta today.Today vs Mets: 49° ?️ Wind blowing left-to-right / out to RF at 15mph? Gusts up to 26mph #Cubs #Weather
— Wrigley Winds (@WrigleyWinds) April 18, 2026 Owen Ayers has had an incredible start to his season at High-A South Bend, and it’s just a matter of time until the promising catcher prospect gets a promotion to Double-A.Owen Ayers is the first #SBCubs player to homer in 4️⃣ consecutive games since Alexander Canario, who did it both in 2021 and 2022!GAME NOTES ➡️ t.co/fcEgeNyya5 pic.twitter.com/ERQKlORdBz
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) April 17, 2026 Also of note at High-A South Bend, Kane Kepley stole his seventh base of the season last night in his ninth game. He’s a perfect 7-for-7 and helping his cause with a .465 OBP.The washing machine hates to see Kane Kepley coming.#SBCubs pic.twitter.com/jnyqigdD7U
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) April 17, 2026 After taking three walks last night Josiah Hartshorn’s OBP is up to .475.Make that three walks tonight pic.twitter.com/lLOBixARNu
— Carson Wolf (@TheWrigleyWire) April 18, 2026 The much-talked-about strikeout concerns for former Cubs prospect Owen Caissie have shown up in Miami.I just noticed that Owen Caissie has a 42.1% strikeout rate, and yikes. That was the near-term concern with him in the big leagues, and it's been borne out so far. Will need time and ABs to adjust, and that's part of the reason the fit with the Marlins was a good one.
— Brett Taylor (@Brett_A_Taylor) April 17, 2026 From an Iowan, mentally moved on from winter, my one-word reaction to this: gross.Perfect baseball weather at Coors Field pic.twitter.com/beJw3u0bbF
— Jacob Zanolla (@jacobzanolla) April 17, 2026 Corbin Martin was spotted heading into Wrigley today, so there might be another roster move coming for the pitching staff. Standby for that, I guess.Hence then, the article about offensive output more moballer palencia promise nico love and other cubs bullets was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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