TODAY’S GAME:
The Astros and Cubs will play the second game of their three-game series this afternoon at Wrigley Field. Houston will send RHP Kai-Wei Teng (2-3) to the mound against Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-2).
IN THE DAYTIME:
Today marks the third of four consecutive scheduled day games for the Astros. Wednesday’s series finale in Minnesota began at 12:40 p.m., and all three games this weekend at Wrigley Field are scheduled for 1:20 p.m. starts. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the last time the Astros played four consecutive day games was April 2-6 of last season.
ROADIES:
Today is the fourth game of a 10-game, three-city road trip for Houston, with the club currently sitting at 2-2 on the trip. The Astros went 1-2 in Minnesota on the opening leg of the road swing. Following this series in Chicago, Houston will return to Texas for a four-game set against the Rangers at Globe Life Field from Monday through Thursday.
VS. THE CUBBIES:
The Astros took two of three games from the Cubs during the clubs’ only meeting last season, which took place June 27-29 at Daikin Park. Prior to this weekend, Houston’s last visit to Wrigley Field came during a three-game series in April 2024, when the Cubs completed a sweep.
Since 2019, the Astros are 8-5 against Chicago. All-time, Houston holds a 386-338 record against the Cubs, marking the second-most wins the franchise has recorded against any opponent. Only Cincinnati has faced Houston more often, with the Astros holding a 404-455 all-time record against the Reds.
The first official game in Houston franchise history also came against the Cubs. On April 10, 1962, the Colt .45s defeated Chicago 11-2 at Colt Stadium behind a complete-game victory from left-hander Bobby Shantz.
RARE VISIT TO WRIGLEY:
The current series marks just the Astros’ second visit to Wrigley Field since 2013, the same season Houston transitioned from the National League to the American League.
ON THE KAI-WEI TO SUCCESS:
RHP Kai-Wei Teng has found success this season in both starting and relief roles, posting a 2.61 ERA (9 ER, 31.0 IP) across 16 appearances, including three starts.
His most recent outing came on May 16 against the Rangers, when he tossed 5.0 scoreless innings in a 4-1 Astros victory. Teng was acquired by Houston in January through an offseason trade with the Giants.
A native of Taiwan, Teng is just the second Taiwanese-born player in Astros history, joining RHP Chia-Jen Lo, who made 19 relief appearances for Houston during the 2013 season.
YESTERDAY’S RECAP:
RHP Spencer Arrighetti delivered 5.0 scoreless innings to help lead the Astros to a 4-2 victory over the Cubs in Friday’s series opener at Wrigley Field.
C Christian Vázquez paced the offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Arrighetti’s final line included 5.0 innings pitched, two hits allowed, no runs, four walks, and five strikeouts.
LHP Bryan King recorded the final four outs to secure his fifth save of the season, while Brice Matthews added a pinch-hit RBI single.
LONG TIME COMING:
Friday’s win marked the Astros’ first victory at Wrigley Field since a 4-3 win on June 22, 2013.
SPENCER’S GIFTS:
Since making his season debut on April 15, RHP Spencer Arrighetti has emerged as one of the top starters in Major League Baseball.
With Friday’s victory, Arrighetti improved to 6-1 in seven starts while posting a dominant 1.32 ERA (6 ER, 41.0 IP). Opponents are batting just .169 against him, with only 24 hits allowed across 41 innings pitched.
Since April 15, Arrighetti’s six wins are the most in the American League.
MODEL OF CONSISTENCY:
Arrighetti has allowed one earned run or fewer in six of his seven starts this season and has yet to allow more than two earned runs in any outing.
In May, he owns a 3-1 record with a sparkling 0.78 ERA (2 ER, 23.0 IP) across four starts.
RECENT STROS:
The Astros are 4-3 over their last seven games and 5-4 across their last nine contests as they continue their road trip through Chicago.
CLOSE CALLS:
With Friday’s 4-2 victory over the Cubs, the Astros improved to 9-8 in two-run games this season and 4-2 in one-run contests.
FOR STARTERS:
The three Astros starters scheduled for this series have combined for a 2.43 ERA (29 ER, 107.1 IP) with 105 strikeouts across 107.1 innings pitched.
- Spencer Arrighetti — 1.32 ERA
- Kai-Wei Teng — 2.61 ERA
- Colton Lambert — 3.57 ERA
THROWING SOME LEATHER:
The Astros’ 19 team errors are tied for the second-fewest in the American League this season. Houston entered Friday with the fewest errors in the AL before committing two miscues in the 4-2 win over Chicago.
THERE IS A SANTA:
RHP Alimber Santa, who was selected from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, has been outstanding this season.
In 18 relief appearances, Santa owns a 4-2 record with a 1.42 ERA (3 ER, 19.0 IP), while limiting opponents to just 10 hits and a .159 batting average. He had not allowed a run in his previous six appearances spanning 5.2 innings prior to his promotion.
PEN PALS:
The Astros bullpen has quietly put together a strong stretch recently. Since May 8, Houston relievers have combined for a 3.57 ERA (18 ER, 45.1 IP).
Several individual relievers have also been on impressive runs:
- RHP Bryan Abreu — 0.00 ERA in his last seven outings (6.2 IP, 0 ER)
- RHP AJ Blubaugh — 2.18 ERA in his last eight outings (12.1 IP, 3 ER)
- LHP Bryan King — 1.54 ERA in his last 10 outings (11.2 IP, 2 ER)
- LHP Steven Okert — Seven strikeouts over his last 3.2 innings (four appearances) with a 3.68 ERA in his last eight outings (7.1 IP, 3 ER)
AIR YORDAN:
Yordan Alvarez is batting .303 this season with 11 doubles, 15 home runs, 31 RBIs, and a 1.017 OPS (.412 OBP/.605 SLG).
Among American League hitters, Alvarez currently ranks:
- 1st in total bases (113)
- 2nd in OPS and slugging percentage
- 3rd in on-base percentage
- 5th in batting average and home runs
- Tied for 9th in RBIs (31)
ROAD WARRIORS:
The Astros have been one of the American League’s top offensive teams on the road during the 2026 season.
Entering today’s game, Houston leads the AL in road batting average (.267) and on-base percentage (.336), while also ranking third in slugging percentage (.409) and OPS (.745).
BRYAN’S SONG:
After a slow start to the season, RHP Bryan Abreu has been dominant out of the bullpen.
Abreu has not allowed a run in his last seven appearances, covering 6.2 innings while allowing just three hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Over his last nine outings, he owns a 1.04 ERA (1 ER, 8.2 IP) with nine strikeouts.
ON THE LEADER BOARD:
As a team, the Astros currently rank among the top offensive clubs in the American League.
Houston ranks:
- 2nd in hits (431)
- 2nd in total bases (704)
- 2nd in slugging percentage (.403)
- 3rd in batting average (.247)
- Tied for 3rd in OPS (.724)
- 4th in home runs (61)
MONSTER SEASON:
C/1B Jason Schiavone, who was recently promoted to Double-A Corpus Christi, currently leads all of Minor League Baseball with 18 home runs in just 38 games.
Schiavone opened the season with High-A Asheville before earning his promotion after a scorching start at the plate. Across his time in the minors this season, he has posted 18 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 42 walks while slashing .277/.444/.745 with a remarkable 1.189 OPS.
The Astros selected Schiavone in the 11th round of the 2024 MLB Draft.