It’s the Houston Astros versus the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 22, 2026. Here’s how to watch live on TV.
- Time: 2:20 PM ET
- Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Streaming: Apple TV
How to Watch Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs on May 22, 2026
You can watch the Chicago Cubs take on the Houston Astros live on DIRECTV on Apple TV on May 22, 2026 at 2:20 PM ET. The Astros-Cubs game is scheduled to stream on Apple TV as part of Friday Night Baseball. While Space City Home Network and Marquee Sports Network are generally the Astros’ and Cubs’ DIRECTV RSN listings, this matchup is an Apple TV game rather than a standard local RSN telecast.
Houston Astros (20-31) at Chicago Cubs (29-21) — Game Preview
The Houston Astros bring a 20-31 record into Wrigley Field for an afternoon meeting with the Chicago Cubs, who sit at 29-21 in the NL Central. The pitching split between the two clubs is the clearest gap on paper, with Houston carrying a 5.34 team ERA while Chicago’s staff has held opponents to a 4.07 ERA over the same stretch. That contrast tightens further at the top of today’s matchup, where Spencer Arrighetti (5-1, 1.50 ERA) opposes Jameson Taillon (2-3, 4.97 ERA) in a duel of starters pulling in very different directions. Houston leans on Yordan Alvarez, the team’s most dangerous left-handed bat with a .303 average and 15 home runs, while the Cubs counter with Seiya Suzuki, who’s hitting .269 with a .455 slugging percentage out of the right-field spot. The third name worth watching is Ian Happ, whose 10 home runs lead a Cubs lineup that has produced 58 long balls as a team. Houston is missing Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa from the middle infield, leaving Christian Walker, who has driven in 31 runs at first base, to anchor the lineup behind Alvarez.
Streaming
Apple TV
What Time is the Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs Game Today?
The Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs game starts at 2:20 PM ET.
Where Can I Watch Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs?
You can watch Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs on Apple TV
Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs Channel on DIRECTV
Space City Home Network (Channel 674), Marquee Sports Network (Channel 664)
Players to Watch: Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs
Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez — DH. Hitting .303 with 15 home runs and 31 RBIs, Alvarez is the engine of an Astros lineup thinned by infield injuries. His .412 on-base percentage and .605 slugging give Houston its clearest middle-of-the-order presence with both contact and power in the same swing.
Christian Walker — 1B. Walker’s 31 RBIs are tied with Alvarez for the team lead, and his 11 home runs make him the most reliable secondary power source in the lineup. The .255 average is steady rather than spectacular, which fits his role hitting behind Alvarez and ahead of the bottom third of the order.
Spencer Arrighetti — SP. Arrighetti carries a 5-1 record into the start with a 1.50 ERA across 36.0 innings, giving Houston its strongest pitching matchup. He has struck out 35 batters with a 1.19 WHIP, a profile that gives the Astros a real chance against a Cubs lineup with a .735 team OPS.
Chicago Cubs
Seiya Suzuki — RF. Suzuki is hitting .269 with a .369 on-base percentage and .455 slugging percentage, giving the Cubs a steady right-handed bat near the heart of the order. His profile is more balanced than explosive, with enough on-base ability and gap power to help set up the middle of Chicago’s lineup.
Ian Happ — LF. Happ’s 10 home runs are the most on the Cubs roster, and his 20 RBIs come despite a .215 average that reflects some swing-and-miss in his profile. He remains one of Chicago’s main power threats, especially in a lineup with 58 home runs as a team.
Jameson Taillon — SP. Taillon takes the ball at 2-3 with a 4.97 ERA across 50.2 innings, numbers that look a little steadier when paired with his 1.20 WHIP and 42 strikeouts. The Cubs will need him to keep Houston contained long enough for the lineup to build pressure at Wrigley Field.
Injury Report: Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs
Houston Astros
Hunter Brown (SP) — 60-day IL, right shoulder strain
Taylor Trammell (CF) — 10-day IL, left groin strain
Lance McCullers Jr. (SP) — 15-day IL, right shoulder inflammation
Jose Altuve (2B) — 10-day IL, left oblique strain
Josh Hader (RP) — 60-day IL, left biceps tendinitis
Carlos Correa (SS) — 10-day IL, left ankle surgery
Bennett Sousa (RP) — 15-day IL, left elbow inflammation
Hayden Wesneski (SP) — 60-day IL, right elbow surgery
Joey Loperfido (LF) — 10-day IL, right quadriceps strain
Ronel Blanco (SP) — 60-day IL, right elbow surgery
Brandon Walter (SP) — 60-day IL, left elbow surgery
Yainer Diaz (C) — 10-day IL, left oblique strain
Cristian Javier (SP) — 60-day IL, right shoulder strain
Chicago Cubs
Hunter Harvey (RP) — 60-day IL, right triceps inflammation
Matthew Boyd (SP) — 15-day IL, left knee surgery
Justin Steele (SP) — 60-day IL, left elbow surgery
Porter Hodge (RP) — 60-day IL, right elbow surgery
Riley Martin (RP) — 60-day IL, left elbow inflammation
Shelby Miller (RP) — 60-day IL, right elbow surgery
Cade Horton (SP) — 60-day IL, right elbow surgery
Tyler Austin (1B) — 60-day IL, right knee surgery
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