Outlook Moises Ballesteros
Moises Ballesteros mired in deep slump as Cubs search for offense
The fourth-place Cubs are on a three-game losing streak, and rookie designated hitter Moises Ballesteros has hit a wall, batting just .150 with no home runs over his last 14 days. This slump is part of a longer 30-day stretch where he hit just .087. Despite these struggles, he remains the primary designated hitter with teammate Matt Shaw on the injured list.
This icy stretch is a far cry from his season baseline of six homers and a .229 average over 49 games. Our models project Ballesteros to rebound toward a .261 average and a stellar .363 on-base percentage rest-of-season. His elite contact profile and career .283 mark from 2025 suggest this cold spell is a temporary rookie speed bump rather than a permanent regression.
Looking at the remaining four games this week, the Cubs face Oakland’s J.T. Ginn before hosting three Giants pitchers, including Robbie Ray and Landen Roupp. While San Francisco's starters offer vulnerable targets with ERAs over 4.20, Ballesteros's severe slump makes him too risky to trust in active lineups right now. Sit him for this week.
Updated 1 day ago
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Outlook Joe Mack
Joe Mack Seizes Primary Catching Role in Miami but Slumping Average Limits Weekly Appeal
Since his early May promotion, Joe Mack has settled in as the primary catcher for the fourth-place Marlins, who currently hold a 26-31 record. While the 23-year-old rookie flashed early run-producing ability, his recent form has cooled, as he is batting just .200 with zero home runs and 10 strikeouts over his last 14 days. Despite the slump, he remains locked into the everyday starting role behind the plate.
Our models project Mack to finish the season with a .219 batting average and 10 home runs, which aligns closely with his current .211 career mark. His high strikeout rate—19 strikeouts in 57 at-bats—suggests his contact struggles are real as he adjusts to big-league pitching. While his raw power should eventually translate to some modest home run growth, his low batting average makes him a liability in standard formats for now.
Looking at the remainder of the week, the Marlins travel to face the Mets for three games. Mack will draw tough matchups against Freddy Peralta (3.52 ERA) and Christian Scott (3.20 ERA) before finishing the series against Nolan McLean. Given these challenging road matchups and his ongoing slump, he is not a viable starting option. Verdict: Sit.
Updated 8 days ago
