TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (20-31) and Chicago Cubs (29-21) will begin their 3-game series this afternoon at Wrigley Field.
RHP Spencer Arrighetti (5-1, 1.50 ERA) will take the mound for the Astros as he takes on RHP Jameson Taillon (2-3, 4.97 ERA).
Houston Area Connection: Both of today’s starters grew up in the Greater Houston area. Arrighetti is a 2018 graduate of Cinco Ranch High School (Katy, TX) while Taillon is a 2010 graduate of The Woodlands High School (Woodlands, TX).
SPENCER’S GIFTS:
Since making his season debut on April 15, RHP Spencer Arrighetti has been one of the top starters in the Majors. For the season, he is 5-1 in just 6 starts with a 1.50 ERA (6ER/36IP) and a miniscule .176 opp. avg….
Since April 15, he is T-1st in the AL in wins.
Model of Consistency: Arrighetti has allowed 1 ER or less in 5 of his 6 starts and 2 ER or less in all 6 starts.
Last Start: Arrighetti took a no-hitter into the 8th inning in his last start on May 15 vs. TEX, which ended in a 2-0 win (7.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R).
VS. THE CUBBIES: The Astros took 2 of 3 vs. the Cubs in the only series between the two clubs last season (June 27-29 at Daikin Park).
The Astros last visit to Wrigley Field was a 3-game series in April of 2024 (3-gm sweep by CHC). The Astros are 7-5 in their last 4 series vs. the Cubs (since 2019).
All-Time: The Astros are 385-338 all-time vs. the Cubbies. Their 385 wins vs. them are their 2nd-most vs. any opponent (404-455 vs. CIN).
First Game Ever: The very first official game of the Houston franchise was vs. the Cubs on April 10, 1962, when the Colt .45s defeated the Cubs, 11-2, at Colt Stadium, behind a CG win by LHP Bobby Shantz.
IN THE DAYTIME: Today is the 2nd of 4 consecutive scheduled day games for the Astros. Wednesday’s series finale at MIN had a 12:40 p.m. start and all 3 games this weekend at Wrigley Field will begin at 1:20 p.m.
The last time that the Astros have played 4 consecutive day games was April 2-6 of last season (source: Elias).
ROADIES: Today is the 3rd game (1-2 thus far) of a 10-game, 3-city road trip for HOU. HOU went 1-2 at MIN on the 1st stop of the trip.
After this series in CHC, they travel back to Texas for a 4-game series vs. the Rangers at Globe Life Field (Mon.-Thurs).
ROAD WARRIORS: The Astros have been one of the AL’s top hitting teams on the road in 2026.
Entering today’s game, HOU leads the AL in road batting avg. (.267) and OBP (.336) while ranking 2nd in SLG (.412) and OPS (.749).
RARE VISIT TO WRIGLEY: The current series marks just the 2nd visit to Wrigley Field for the Astros since 2013. The 2013 season is when the Astros were moved to the American League.
ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have selected RHP Alimber Santa (#72) from Triple A Sugar Land.
The Astros optioned RHP Jayden Murray to Triple A Sugar Land following Wednesday’s game.
RHP Cody Bolton cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple A Sugar Land yesterday.
THERE IS A SANTA: RHP Alimber Santa has been outstanding for Triple A Sugar Land this season. In his 18 relief appearances, Santa is 4-2 with a 1.42 ERA (3ER/19IP), allowing just 10 hits in his 19.0 innings of work for a .159 opp. avg. He had not allowed a run in his last 6 app. (5.2 IP).
PEN PALS: As a group, the Astros bullpen has had decent run of success recently.
Since May 8, they have a combined ERA of 3.48 (16ER/41.1IP).
Individually, several relievers are currently pitching well:
–RHP Bryan Abreu: 0.00 ERA in last 6 outings (6 IP, 0 R).
–RHP AJ Blubaugh: 2.18 ERA in last 8 outings (12.1 IP, 3 ER).
–LHP Bryan King: 1.74 ERA in last 9 outings (10.1 IP, 2 ER)
–LHP Steven Okert: 1.29 ERA in last 7 outings (7.0 IP, 1 ER) and has 7 K’s in his last 3.1 IP (3 app).
BRYAN’S SONG: After a slow start to his season, RHP Bryan Abreu has not allowed a run in his last 6 outings, covering 6.0 IP (3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 SO).
In his last 8 appearances, Abreu has posted a 1.12 ERA (1ER/8.0IP) with 9 K’s.
THE BIG OH: LHP Steven Okert punched out all 3 batters that he faced last night, giving him 7 K’s in his last 3.1 IP (3 app.). He has not allowed a run in his last 5 app. (5.1 IP).
AIR YORDAN: Yordan Alvarez is batting .309 with 11 doubles, 15 HR, 31 RBI and a 1.017 OPS (.412 OBP/.605 SLG).
In the AL, he ranks first in total bases (112), 2nd in OPS and SLG, 3rd in OBP, T-4th in HR and 5th in batting avg.
EE-SOCK: Wednesday night’s HR for Isaac Paredes was #97 in his career. He needs 3 more HR to become the 4th MLB player born in Mexico to reach 100 career HR.
ON THE LEADER BOARD: As a club, the Astros currently rank T-2nd in the AL in hits (422), 3rd in batting avg. (.246) and SLG (.404) and 5th in OPS (.725).
WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER: 1B Christian Walker has been one of the top hitting 1st basemen in the AL this season, ranking among all AL leaders in several offensive categories. He is 2nd on the club in HR (11) and T-1st in RBI (31).
Among the AL leaders, Walker ranks T-8th in RBI (31), T-10th in HR (11), 9th in total bases (90) and 11th in SLG (.489).
APPLE TV: Wayne Randazzo, Dontrelle Willis and Heidi Watney will call the action for today’s Apple TV. telecast.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2021 – RHP Lance McCullers Jr. strikes out four batters in the 1st inning in a start against the Rangers in Arlington. He fans Nathaniel Lowe, Adolis García, Joey Gallo and Khris Davis consecutively in the frame, with Gallo reaching safely on a wild pitch.
McCullers becomes the fifth Astros pitcher since the year 2000 to record four strikeouts in an inning and the first since RHP Ken Giles did so in 2016.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, May 22, 1:20 p.m. CT
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
TV: Apple TV
Streaming: Apple TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
