TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (23-31) and Texas Rangers (24-28) begin a 4-game series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.
RHP Tatsuya Imai (1-2. 8.31 ERA) will start for the Astros vs. Rangers RHP Kumar Rocker (2-4, 3.60 ERA). Tonight will be Imai’s 1st career appearance vs. the Rangers.
ABOUT IMAI: RHP Tatsuya Imai will make his sixth start tonight and the first of his career vs. the Rangers.
Imai started the 1st game of this current road trip on May 18 at MIN, in which his outing was cut short due to a lengthy rain delay. Prior to the delay, he had hurled 4.2 innings, allowing 3 earned runs with no walks and 5 strikeouts.
Earlier this season, Imai missed 26 games while on the Injured List (arm fatigue).
In January, the Astros signed Imai as a free agent to a three-year deal. In 2025, he was an All-Star for the Seibu Lions in the NPB in Japan, where he went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA (35ER/163.2IP) in 24 games.
THE SILVER BOOT SERIES: The Astros took 2 out of 3 from Rangers, May 15-17 at Daikin Park.
Even Series: The two clubs have played each other 295 times in the regular season in their franchise histories, with the Astros holding a slight advantage, 148-147.
Recently, the Astros have had the upper hand, winning or splitting nine straight season series, going 95-52 against the Rangers since the start of the 2017 season.
Note: The Silver Boot Trophy, which the Astros have held onto since 2017, is on display in the Centerfield Team Store at Daikin Park.
BACK INTO THE NIGHT: Tonight will be the Astros first night game since Tues. night at MIN. Since that game, they have played 4 consecutive day games, Wed. at MIN and all 3 games over the weekend vs. the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Prior to last week, the last time that the Astros had played 4 consecutive day games was April 2-6 of last season (source: Elias).
SWEEPSTAKES: The 3-game sweep of the Cubs over the weekend was the Astros 1st series sweep on the road in 2026 and their 2nd series sweep overall this season. Their other sweep in 2026 came March 30-April 1 vs. BOS at Daikin Park.
At Wrigley: Prior to over the weekend, the last time that the Astros swept the Cubs at Wrigley Field was in a 3-game series, May 30-June 1, 2011.
FOR STARTERS: Astros starters have a combined ERA of 2.84 (13ER/45.2IP) over the last 9 games.
Saturday was the 3rd time in the last 5 games that an Astros starter did not allow a run in his start.
Additionally, Astros starters have allowed no runs 4 times in the last 9 games.
WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER: 1B Christian Walker had a productive series over the weekend at Wrigley Field, going 5×12 (.417) with 3 HR and 6 RBI. For the season, he has been one of the top hitting 1st basemen in the AL.
Overall, he currently ranksT2nd in the AL in RBI (37) and 6th in TB (104), HR (14) and SLG (.531).
AL RBI Leaders
-
J. Aranda: 38
T2. C. Walker: 37
T2. N. Kurtz: 37
SPENCER’S GIFTS: Since making his season debut on April 15, RHP Spencer Arrighetti has been one of the top starters in the Majors…with Friday’s win at CHC, he is now 6-1 in just 7 starts with a 1.32 ERA (6ER/41IP) and a miniscule .169 batting avg. (24 H allowed in 41.0 IP).
Since April 15, Arrighetti’s 6 wins are tops in the AL in that span.
Model of Consistency: Arrighetti has allowed 1 ER or less in 6 of his 7 starts and 2 ER or less in all 7 starts.
In May, Arrighetti is 3-1 in 4 starts with an 0.78 ERA (2ER/23IP).
RECENT STROS: The Astros have won 3 straight, 4 of their last 5 and are 6-3 in their last 9 games and 7-4 in their last 11 games.
CLOSE CALLS: With yesterday’s 4-2 win, the Astros are now 10-8 in 2-run games and 4-2 in 1-run games.
THROWING SOME LEATHER: The Astros 19 errors as a club are tied for the fewest in the AL, along with KC and ATH. The Astros had the fewest errors in the AL prior to committing 2 errors in Friday’s 4-2 win.
PEN PALS: As a group, the Astros bullpen has had a decent run of success recently.
Since May 8, they have a combined ERA of 3.44 (20ER/52.1IP).
Individually, several relievers are currently pitching well:
–RHP Bryan Abreu: 0.00 ERA in last 8 outings (7.2 IP, 0 R).
–RHP AJ Blubaugh: 3.14 ERA in last 9 outings (14.1 IP, 5 ER).
–LHP Bryan King: 1.42 ERA in last 10 outings (12.2 IP, 2 ER)
–LHP Steven Okert: 8 K’s in his last 4.2 IP (5 apps.)…3.24 ERA in his last 9 outings (8.1 IP, 3 ER).
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. (.264) and ranks 2nd in OBP (.334), SLG (.415) and OPS (.749).
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1975 – In the Dome, the Astros rally back from a 6-0 deficit to defeat the Expos, 8-7, in 12 innings. A clutch, solo HR in the bottom of the 9th by Cesar Cedeno ties the game at 6-6. With the Astros trailing. 7-6, in the bottom of the 12th, Enos Cabell’s RBI-double ties it and then Milt May singles home the game-winner for the Astros walk-off win.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, May 25, 6:05 p.m. CT
Location: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Read the full article here