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It shouldn't be a surprise that the Chicago Cubs looked lifeless at times during their 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night. One day after clinching their first postseason berth since 2020, facing Hunter Greene seemed unfair, and the Reds' ace made sure the Cubs' lineup was aware of that fact. A lineup that featured all the regulars, including Moises Ballesteros serving as the team's designated hitter.
Cubs fans were forced to hold their breath in the fifth inning of Thursday's contest, when Ballesteros took a line drive off the helmet. The ball was hit by Pete Crow-Armstrong and had an exit velocity over 100 mph when it connected with Ballesteros, who was the runner at first base.
Moisés Ballesteros appears to be okay after getting hit in the helmet by this line drive
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 19, 2025
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/sCW070SJ0S
The good news is that it seems that the Cubs' rookie has avoided a serious injury. Ballesteros was checked by the Cubs' training staff and was cleared to remain in the game. After the game, Craig Counsell confirmed that Ballesteros avoided a serious injury while describing how the play unfolded.
“First, you’re worried about: Is Moisés all right? Because Pete hit that ball pretty hard,” Counsell said. “I think Moisés got caught behind the fielder a little bit. Not caught — it’s just the nature of the play and the ball’s hit really hard. … He’s OK, but it was a scary play, absolutely. That he had the presence to run to second was pretty impressive.”
Cubs almost saw their postseason x-factor go down at the worst time
As Ballesteros has seen more plate appearances at the Major League level during the second half of the season, he has made the case that he could be the x-factor for the Cubs in October. Through his first 47 plate appearances, Ballesteros is slashing .286/.362/.500 with a wRC+ of 137.
With the Cubs' bench lacking a bat capable of getting a timely hit throughout the season, it would seem that Ballesteros will check that box for the team in the postseason. In other words, the Cubs can't afford an injury to one of their top prospects right now.