First Pitch: 1:20 PM CT (11:20 AM PT)
Broadcast: Marquee Sports Network / AT&T SportsNet Southwest
Weather Outlook (Wrigley Field)
- Temperature: 68–71°F
- Wind: 10–14 mph out to left-center — classic Wrigley wind boost for RH pull hitters
- Humidity: ~55%
- Chance of Rain: <10%
- Impact: Slight Over-friendly environment; fly balls carry well with this wind pattern.
Injury Report
Houston Astros
- Yordan Álvarez — Probable (rest day Friday; no injury concern)
- Kyle Tucker — OUT (right shin stress reaction; long-term IL)
- Framber Valdez — OUT (forearm tightness; IL)
- Cristian Javier — OUT (UCL surgery; season-ending)
Chicago Cubs
- Seiya Suzuki — Probable (minor oblique tightness; expected to play)
- Cody Bellinger — OUT (wrist fracture; IL)
- Jordan Wicks — OUT (forearm strain; IL)
- Julian Merryweather — OUT (lat strain; IL)
Team Records & Recent Form
Houston Astros (21–31)
- Last 10: 4–6
- Road Record: 9–17
- Run Differential: –32
- Trend: Offense inconsistent; pitching depth stretched thin; bullpen overworked.
- Strength: Still top‑10 in hard‑hit rate despite poor record.
- Weakness: Rotation instability; bullpen ERA bottom‑third of MLB.
Chicago Cubs (29–22)
- Last 10: 6–4
- Home Record: 16–9
- Run Differential: +27
- Trend: Strong at Wrigley; lineup producing despite injuries; pitching stabilizing.
- Strength: Excellent OBP and situational hitting.
- Weakness: Middle relief volatility.
Starting Pitching Matchup
Houston — RHP Kai‑Wei Teng (R)
- 2026 Stats: 1–4, 4.88 ERA, 1.39 WHIP
- K/9: 9.7
- BB/9: 4.1
- Profile:
- High‑spin fastball (93–95 mph) with late ride
- Sweeper is his best pitch; generates whiffs but inconsistent command
- Struggles vs. left-handed hitters (.278 BAA)
- Matchup Concerns:
- Cubs’ lineup is patient; Teng’s walk issues could inflate pitch count
- Wind blowing out punishes his fly‑ball tendencies
Chicago — RHP Colin Rea (R)
- 2026 Stats: 4–2, 3.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
- K/9: 7.1
- BB/9: 2.4
- Profile:
- Pitch‑to‑contact righty with excellent command
- Cutter/2‑seam mix induces soft contact
- Very strong at Wrigley this season (2.91 ERA at home)
- Matchup Advantages:
- Astros swing early; Rea thrives against aggressive lineups
- Houston’s lefty power diminished without Tucker
Key Player Matchups
Astros Hitters vs. Colin Rea
- José Altuve: .310 career vs cutters; good matchup
- Yordan Álvarez: HR threat with wind blowing out; Rea must avoid middle-in
- Alex Bregman: Heating up; .385 OBP over last 10 games
- Jeremy Peña: Struggling vs. righties (.229); poor matchup
Cubs Hitters vs. Kai‑Wei Teng
- Christopher Morel: Elite fastball hitter; HR candidate
- Ian Happ: Switch-hitter with strong OBP; Teng struggles vs LHB
- Michael Busch: .520 SLG at home; fly-ball hitter boosted by wind
- Dansby Swanson: Good vs sweepers; Teng’s main weapon
Series History
- 2024–2026: Cubs lead recent meetings 6–4
- At Wrigley Field: Cubs have won 4 of last 5
- Astros have not won a series at Wrigley since 2012 (NL era)
Betting Trends
Houston Astros
- 2–7 in last 9 road games
- Under is 6–3 in last 9
- 1–5 in Teng’s last 6 starts
Chicago Cubs
- 7–2 in last 9 home games
- Over is 5–1 in last 6 at Wrigley with wind out
- Rea starts: Cubs are 6–3
GAME ODDS
Houston Astros 7.5
Chicago Cubs – 145
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 22, 2026
