What happened: Kai-Wei Teng will take the mound tonight for the Houston Astros in their series opener against the Detroit Tigers at Daikin Park. The right-hander is making his eighth start of the season as he continues his transition from the bullpen.
Why it matters: After a strong start to the season, Teng has struggled in June, seeing his ERA jump to 3.71. He remains the same Kai-Wei Teng who excelled in a relief role earlier this spring, and tonight’s outing is a key opportunity to prove he can provide consistent length in the rotation.
By the numbers: Teng enters Monday with a 3-5 record and 49 strikeouts through 51.0 innings pitched in 2026. His arsenal is highlighted by a sweeper with a 31.1% whiff rate, though he looks to lower an 11.2% walk rate that has hampered his recent starts.
What to watch: Watch for Teng to lean on his sweeper early to establish command against a Detroit lineup that has shown vulnerability to breaking balls in early counts.