Dusty Baker and his Houston Astros have been adamant about proving the team can legitimately compete for a World Series title. The Astros’ 29-31 record last season doesn’t sound like a ringing endorsement, although they did reach the ALCS.
But our MLB predictions have the Astros and their homegrown roster making a splash in 2021. Here’s a look at what makes us bullish on the Astros this season.
How the Offense Looks
The Houston Astros have a talented offense that will make a positive impact on the team this year. You can expect Kyle Tucker, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and many other offensive stars on the roster to stay strong.
But there are a few noteworthy departures to watch, as George Springer and Michael Brantley have both left the team. The team will rely on less-experienced players like Myles Straw and Chas McCormick to replace them.
The Astros also have a few bench players that will hope to make an impact, including catcher Garrett Stubbs and infielder Abraham Toro. Whether the team is willing to spend something extra on some of the club’s more experienced players remains uncertain.
Pitching Points
The most noteworthy development for the Astros on the pitching front entails Justin Verlander undergoing Tommy John surgery this past September. While there was some hope for him to bring the same heat he had with the Detroit Tigers once more, it is likely he might have thrown his last pitchers for the Astros.
100 days until Opening Day!! #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/nVMc3pgKCo
— Houston Astros (@astros) December 22, 2020
The team still has some high-value starting pitchers on its current rotation. Zack Greinke will likely lead the team’s rotation. Framber Valdez, Lance McCullers Jr., and Jose Urquidy will be on the rotation.
Cristian Javier is the most likely player to be the team’s fifth option, as he threw more than fifty innings last season. The Astros spent much of last year giving Javier and Urquidy a bit of extra experience. The two had been slowly developing since they were acquired on the international market in 2015.
Ryan Pressly has shown himself to be one of the league’s top closers. He had twelve saves in twenty-one innings last season. He also had 29 strikeouts versus seven walks.
Where Will the Astros Finish in 2021?
We predict the Houston Astros will win the AL West division this coming season. The Astros have a quality roster all around, with excellent players on the rotation and the field alike. The team will also take advantage of a division that has a few weak opponents to get somewhere this year.
How Far Can the Astros Go in the Playoffs?
We feel that the Houston Astros will lose in the first round of the playoffs. They will lose to the New York Yankees or Chicago White Sox, as the Astros’ roster is getting up there in age and will need to entrust some of the younger players if they are to go far. The Astros are still trying to get used to Dusty Baker’s style of coaching.
We still feel that the Astros are a good team to see when making your MLB predictions this year. The Astros have some positives to spot this year. They will remain competitive and active this season, but don’t expect them to be as powerful as they were a few years back.
There are still a few months before the next season of the MLB starts! But if you are looking to get your fix of baseball early, make sure you visit our MLB hub page for all the information you need!
Image by: Roy Luck
