Convenience Big Store: Astros' pitching is starting to find its groove with another win

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Today's starting lineup

They're not household names doing it, but Astros pitching is in the midst of a turnaround. The latest example came Saturday at Wrigley Field, when Kai-Wei Teng spun six scoreless innings, with Houston's arms backed by two Christian Walker homers in a shutout win.

Please scroll down for the rest of this morning’s headlines.

Greg Rajan, Weekend Sports Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros starter Kai-Wei Teng delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Photo by: Paul Beaty, Associated Press

Can pitching be contagious? Looks like it

The Astros' pitching has turned a corner in May, with some unheralded arms like Saturday's starter Kai-Wei Teng spearheading the improvement on the mound.

Yordan Alvarez: The Astros slugger was pulled from Saturday during an at-bat and departed with a trainer after experiencing a back issue. He said he felt better afterward. Read More
Astros 3, Cubs 0: Christian Walker clubbed two homers to back a solid outing from Kai-Wei Teng for Houston's second straight win at Wrigley Field. Read More
Jose Altuve: The second baseman says his latest oblique injury is "not as bad" the one that sidelined him three years ago. Read More
Joey Loperfido: The outfielder has been out a month with a quad injury but is set to join several teammates rehabbing with Double-A Corpus Christi. Read More

NBA Playoffs

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series in Cleveland, Monday, May 24, 2027.

Photo by: Sue Ogrocki, AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Knicks on the brink

Jalen Brunson scored 30 point and, Mikal Bridges added 22 and the New York Knicks moved within one win of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 with a Game 3 victory in Cleveland.

Searching for a fix: As the Spurs seek solutions, playing Victor Wembanyama more minutes is intriguing but not viable. Instead, San Antonio has to find a way to play better when Wembanyama rests because Oklahoma City is dominating when he's on the bench. Read More

College Softball

Texas Longhorns designated player Victoria Hunter (12) celebrates a home run during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.

Photo by: Aaron E. Martinez, Austin American-Statesman

Going the distance

Houston native Victoria Hunter came through with another big postseason moment as the Longhorns once again did it the hard way to force a decisive Game 3 today in the super regional against Arizona State.

Red Raiders pushed to Game 3: Florida jumped to an early lead and poured it on in the middle innings to avert a super regional sweep by Texas Tech and set up a winner-take-all finale today. Read More

High School Softball

Barbers Hill starting pitcher Macie Bryant delivers in the first inning of the Class 5A Division 1 championship during the UIL State Softball Championships in Austin, Friday, May 30, 2025.

Back for another shot

The Barbers Hill softball team is back in the state championship game after losing in the finale last season.

Soccer

The Dash's Maggie Graham (right) celebrates scoring the winning goal with teammate Clarissa Larisey #9 during Saturday's victory over Angel City FC.

Drought ends

Maggie Graham's goal in stoppage time against Angel City helped the Dash enter the World Cup break on a winning note and halt a six-match winless streak.

Dynamo 1, Galaxy 1: Houston and Los Angeles swapped first-half goals as the Dynamo and Galaxy played to a draw in the final game before MLS' World Cup break. Read More