– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:49 pm
Astros 2016 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2016 Houston Astros predictions? The Astros definitely took the league by storm last season. Most thought they were on a path back to respectability but things ramped up faster than expected last year and they found themselves in the playoffs. Now the trick will be sustaining that level of performance.
MLB Astros Predictions & Handicapping Insight
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If you believe in the odds the Astros are expected to be a contender once again in 2016, they could be even better than they were a year ago.
2016 MLB Team Previews
- Astros American League West Future Odds: +160
- Astros American League Pennant Future Odds: 7/1
- Astros 2016 World Series Futures Odds: 16/1
Key Additions:
RP Ken Giles
SP Doug Fister
SP Wandy Rodriguez
The key offseason add was Giles, a flame-throwing reliever who immediately upgrades the bullpen. I like the depth they added to their rotation as well. Good consistent innings eater types to back up their top starters like Dallas Keuchel.
Key Losses:
1B Chris Carter
SP Scott Kazmir
RP Chad Qualls
They lose a little power with Carter but Kazmir was not an Astro for very long. They should still be able to mash and look to have enough pitching overall.
The key will be if they can maintain the feeling they had last year when everything started to come together.
2016 Astros Predictions – Projected Lineup
- Jose Altuve – 2B
- George Springer – RF
- Carlos Correia – SS
- Carlos Gomez – CF
- Evan Gattis – DH
- Luis Valbuena – 3B
- Colby Rasmus – LF
- Jonathan Singleton – 1B
- Jason Castro – C
The lineup should have more than enough pop and that top four is about as good as anybody in the league. They have been waiting for Singleton to prove that he is MLB ready and maybe now that the job is his he can break through.
If he does there will not be any major holes. In Springer, Correia and Gomez they have three guys who can carry the entire lineup for stretches. Hopefully there will not be a sophomore slump for Correia but even if there is the Astros could have a top 5 offense.
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The key thing to watch this year is if they can cut down on some of the swings and misses without sacrificing too much power.
They don’t need to be the Royals but that will definitely make them more consistent. That top four can really be a monster because they are all in their prime and they are great power speed combos.
The bottom five can all go yard but they could easily be whiff, whiff, whiff, whiff, whiff. That’s not so say this group won’t still be very dangerous. They will just have to ride some ups and downs.
2016 Astros Predictions – Projected Rotation
- Dallas Keuchel
- Collin McHugh
- Mike Fiers
- Doug Fister
- Lance McCullers
There is a chance that McCullers starts the season on the DL so having Rodriguez and even Scott Feldman may come in handy. Keuchel may not be a huge strikeout guy but he is definitely an ace and there is no reason to think he can’t be as good this year as we was a year ago.
Fiers probably has the most upside after Keuchel but the key with this group is that they have all proven to be pretty reliable.
Fister might not be the pitcher he was three years ago but it you back him with five runs like this offense is capable of he is going to win some games for sure.
I like the overall depth they have too because these days you definitely need more than just five guys.
2016 Asros Predictions – Projected Bullpen
- Ken Giles
- Luke Gregerson
- Pat Neshek
Giles may not have a long track record but in terms of stuff he is pretty impressive. I guess the question mark is whether he can do it for a team that matters because Philly was terrible last year.
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Gregerson has a great track record as a setup guy and proved he can close too if necessary. Neshek is one of many guys in the pen who are better than average.
This won’t be the best bullpen of all time but assuming nobody blows up it will hold the leads it is supposed to and keep Houston in the race.
2016 Houston Astros Season Predictions
The Astros should be good once again but it won’t be easy.
They might have improved themselves a little over the offseason but I think the same can be said for the likes of Texas, Seattle and even Oakland.
Its quite possible the West is the best division in the AL which will make it tough to repeat.
On the upside if Singleton and a pitcher step forward this team can definitely take the division crown and be a threat to represent the AL in the World Series.
On the downside their swing and miss lineup, featuring young gun Correia is just not as potent and their pitching is just average. Hello .500 season if that happens.
Most likely is something in the middle. I like their lineup and there are more than a few guys who have yet to reach their ceiling.
There is no reason this team can’t finish with a record similar to what they did a year ago which will keep them in the hunt for the playoffs.
They will have to stay injury free though.
What do you think of our 2016 Houston Astros predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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