Chicago third baseman Isaac Paredes turned a routine at‑bat into a momentum‑shifting double play on May 23, 2026, as the Cubs held off the Houston Astros 5-2 at Wrigley Field. The play arrived in the fifth inning, snapping a late‑inning rally and preserving a slim lead that the Cubs protected for the rest of the night.
Colin Rea added a spark by picking off Cam Smith at first, a rare move that highlighted Chicago’s defensive aggression. Behind him, the bullpen delivered three scoreless frames, while the offense supplied timely singles and a two‑run double by Seiya Suzuki that extended the gap.
Cubs’ recent form in the NL Central
Manager David Ross praised his club’s grit, noting a 31‑19 record as of late May and a string of series wins against the Cardinals and Brewers. The team has leaned on late‑inning resilience, winning six of its last eight games after trailing in the seventh inning or later. That pattern mirrors a 2024 campaign when the Cubs clinched a wild‑card spot with a similar surge.
Play‑by‑play of the May 23 showdown
In the fifth, a grounder off the left‑field wall was fielded cleanly by Paredes, who fired to second‑baseman Braden Shewmake. Shewmake’s quick relay to shortstop Dansby Swanson forced a ground‑out at first, turning two runners. The double play halted Houston’s momentum after they had tied the game at 2‑2 in the fourth.
Later, right‑hander Hayden Wesneski retired the Astros in order in the seventh, and the Cubs added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly by Christopher Morel in the ninth.
Implications for the wild‑card race
The win pushes Chicago to 84‑57, narrowing the gap to the NL Central leader St. Louis Cardinals to just one game. More importantly, it keeps the Cubs within two games of the wild‑card threshold, a crucial position as the season heads into its final stretch. Houston, meanwhile, falls to 78‑63 and must win its next two road games to stay in contention.
Key developments
- Isaac Paredes’ fifth‑inning double play snapped an Astros rally and preserved a 5‑2 lead.
- Colin Rea’s pickoff of Cam Smith marked the first pickoff of the season for Chicago, underscoring aggressive base‑running tactics.
- Seiya Suzuki’s two‑run double provided the offense’s biggest cushion, his third multi‑RBI game of the month.
- Hayden Wesneski’s seven‑scoreless‑inning streak continued, lowering his ERA to 2.71.
- The victory moves the Cubs to within one game of the NL Central lead and two games of the wild‑card spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the exact situation when Paredes turned the double play? With runners on first and second and two outs in the fifth, Paredes fielded a grounder and initiated a 6‑4‑3 double play that ended the Astros’ scoring threat.
How did the Astros respond after the double play? Houston managed a solo homer in the sixth but never tied the game again, finishing with two runs.
Which Cubs pitcher earned the win? Colin Rea was credited with the win, allowing one run over six innings while striking out five.
What does this win mean for the Cubs’ playoff chances? It keeps Chicago within two games of the wild‑card line and one game behind the Cardinals, making every remaining series critical.
When is the next meeting between the Cubs and Astros? The clubs will face each other again on June 12 in Houston, a key series for both teams’ postseason hopes.