Who would have thought that the Astros would snag a win from the Chicago Cubs, let alone a full sweep? This series was huge for the Astros in more ways than one. It was full of milestones and the momentum they have been looking for this season.
The Astros had not won at Wrigley Field since June 22, 2013, and on Friday night, they broke that nearly 13-year losing streak with Spencer Arrighetti on the mound.
After securing another win on Saturday with Kai-Wei Teng on the mound, the Astros actually had a chance for a full sweep.
Sunday, they got it done. With Peter Lambert on the mound, the Astros swept the Cubs at Wrigley Field for the first time since 2011. Most of the current Astros players were still playing Little League the last time they completed a sweep at Wrigley Field.
So, for a team that has been struggling since their first road trip of the 2026 season, what went right this time at Wrigley Field?
1. Pitching
Pitching performances were a major contributor to the Astros staying in control of the games. Between Spencer Arrighetti, Kai-Wei Teng, and Peter Lambert, each starter stepped up and delivered when it mattered most. It may not have been their cleanest performance, but they maintained command and control, and that has been a key component of every win so far in the 2026 season.
2. Home Runs
Starting with Christian Walker. He hit three of the six home runs in this series. Two in the second game and one in the third game, totaling three home runs and six RBIs for Walker. Christian Vazquez hit a homer in the first game of the series, and then Jake Meyers and Nick Allen both homered in the final game of the series, along with Walker, to secure the sweep. Walker was especially hot with multiple home runs across the series.
3. Depth
Without Yordan Alvarez in the lineup on Sunday, the Astros needed someone to step up, and that is exactly what happened. Jake Meyers and Nick Allen both went deep, proving that this team has more depth than people give them credit for. When the lineup shows up like that from top to bottom, it is a dangerous team regardless of who is missing. On top of that, Jeremy Peña is back in the lineup after missing time with a hamstring strain and looked sharp in his return. Getting Peña back adds another layer to an already dangerous lineup when healthy.
This sweep was exactly what the Astros needed. If they can carry this momentum into the rest of the season, they have a real chance to bounce back.
