TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (36-42), who have won three of their last four series, will play the rubber game of their three-game set with the Cleveland Guardians (41-36) today in a Father’s Day matinee at Daikin Park.
RHP Kai-Wei Teng (3-6, 4.31 ERA), who tossed 2.2 scoreless innings against the Guardians back in April, will get the start for the Astros today opposite RHP Slade Cecconi (3-5, 4.60 ERA) and the Guardians.
MY WAY OR THE KAI-WEI: RHP Kai-Wei Teng has split his season between the bullpen
(13g) and rotation (8 starts), posting a 4.31 ERA (26ER/54.1IP) and a .232 opponent average with 58 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched.
Teng is new to the Astros, as he was acquired from the Giants this offseason in exchange for minor leaguer C Jancel Villarroel.
A native of Taiwan, Teng is the second Taiwanese-born player to appear with the Astros in their history, joining RHP Chia Jen-Lo, who made 19 relief appearances with the Astros in 2013.
A MONTH OF WINNING: Over the last month, dating back to May 21, the Astros have gone 16-11 (.593), which ties as the fifth-best record in the Majors and is the second-best record in the AL.
Top Records since May 21 (AL)
1. Yankees 16-9 (.640)
2. Astros 16-11 (.593)
3. Blue Jays 16-12 (.571)
VS. THE GUARDIANS: The Astros and Guardians have played each other in the regular season 102 times in their franchise histories, with the two teams splitting those matchups with 51 wins apiece.
Those games have also been evenly split in Houston (26-26) and Cleveland (25-25), which includes a 23-23 record at Daikin Park.
RACKING UP K’S: The Astros have struck out 62 batters through 45.0 innings in five games this homestand, which are their most strikeouts in any five-game span this season.
In 2026, Astros pitchers rank fifth in the AL in strikeouts (671), while their opponent today, the Guardians, rank first with 707.
PEN PALS: Since May 15, the Astros bullpen has a 2.78 ERA (36ER/116.2IP) with 112 strikeouts, a 1.02 WHIP and a .190 opponent average.
Among AL teams since May 15, the Astros bullpen ranks first in ERA, first in WHIP, and first in opponent batting average.
The Astros are also 19-14 since May 15.
LAST NIGHT’S TRADE: Announced last night, the Astros acquired minor leaguer 1B Cameron Sisneros from the Cubs in exchange for RHP Jayden Murray.
Sisneros, 25, has split the 2026 season with Double A Knoxville and High A South Bend in the Cubs organization, batting a combined .265 (44×166) with eight doubles, six home runs, 37 RBI and an .840 OPS (.419 OBP/.422 SLG).
STREAK SNAPPED: DH Yordan Alvarez had his 25-game on-base streak snapped last night by going 0x3. In the streak, which ran from May 22 – June 19, Alvarez hit .366 (34×93) with nine homers, 24 RBI, 16 walks, a .459 OBP and a 1.158 OPS. This ranks as the fifth-longest streak of his career and his longest since the 2024 season.
BACK WITH A VENGEANCE: Since SS Jeremy Peña returned to the lineup on May 18, the Astros have gone 17-13, while Peña has hit .295 (33×112) with four doubles, six homers, 18 RBI and an .851 OPS in 30 games. Prior to that date, Peña played in only 10 of the Astros first 48 games of the season, with the Astros going 19-29 in those contests.
MY BOY BLU: RHP AJ Blubaugh struck out the side in a perfect 1.0 inning of relief last night, giving him five consecutive scoreless appearances (9IP), in which he’s struck out 11 batters with a .103 (3×29) opponent batting average. Blubaugh has been on a strong run since April 11, going 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA (10ER/39.1IP) in his last 25 appearances.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1973 – In a 12-2 win over the Padres, 1B Lee May becomes the second player in club history to hit three HR in a game. 2B Tommy Helms adds a grand slam. RHP Ken Forsch goes the distance for the win. A young LF Dave Winfield hits his first Major League homer for the Padres.
