Astros 2017 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2017 Houston Astros predictions? After high hopes for last season the Houston Astros struggled and missed the playoffs altogether. There is high expectations again this season that the Astros will try and live up to.
MLB Astros Predictions & Handicapping Insight
Coming into this season the Astros have one of the best lineups, on paper in the American League. They also have a pitching staff that should be solid.
But it’s hard to project this team because the key pieces are the same ones that were projected to be really good last year, and couldn’t live up to the expectations. So is this the year the Astros finally take the step forward and make it to the World Series?
2017 MLB Team Previews – Houston Astros
- American League West +175
- American League +650
- World Series +1400
Key Additions:
- Carlos Beltran
- Brian McCann
- Josh Reddick
The Astros signed two Yankees and a Dodger this off season, all who are projected to be part of the Astros opening day line ups. They should be solid bottom of the order production as long as they stay healthy.
Although they all are getting older they all can still swing a good bat and still should have a few years of good baseball left in them.
I like the Brian McCann addition the most. He is a big upgrade at the catcher position in terms of offensive production.
Key Losses:
- Doug Fister
- Colby Rasmus
- Tal’s Hill
The key loses they had in terms of players all were replaced by free agents. Doug Fister didn’t have a great year last year so he can be replaced. One of the biggest loses for the Astros however was Tal’s Hill. The hill in centerfield of Minute Maid Park was a staple for years. It will be a little odd to not see the hill anymore.
Astros Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- CF George Springer
- 3B Alex Bregman
- 2B Jose Altuve
- SS Carlos Correa
- DH Carlos Beltran
- C Brian McCann
- RF Josh Reddick
- 1B Yulieski Gurriel
- LF Norichika Aoki
This Astros lineup doesn’t really have a weakness in it. It’s good a good mixture of speed, contact and power. They have speed in Jose Altuve and Correa.
They have power in Correa, Beltran and McCann. They also have power coming in from the bench in Evan Gattis who can play DH, first base, and even some catcher(although that can be really ugly at times.)
The other exciting thing for the Astros is their farm system. They have some great players in their farm system that can be called up and plugged into this lineup at any time and they wouldn’t miss a beat.
Astros Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- Dallas Keuchel
- Lance McCullers
- Collin McHugh
- Mike Fiers
- Charlie Morton
The front of the Astros bullpen is strong. Dallas Keuchel should be contending for another Cy Young award. Lance McCullers should have a bounce back season and finish with 12 or more wins.
McHugh and Fiers are good middle of the rotation guys who can give the teams good innings every start. But who will get that fifth starting spot is up in the air.
It’s probably going to come down to Charlie Morton, Chris Devenski or Joe Musgrove. Whoever does end up winning that fifth spot is going to be key for the Astros. They need someone they can trust in that spot to have the type of success they are looking for.
Astros Predictions: Projected Closer:
- RH Ken Giles
Right handed pitcher Ken Giles looks like hes in line to be the opening day closer for the Houston Astros this season.
Ken Giles is a middle of the road closer. He doesn’t have dominating stuff, but he seems to have enough to get the job done when he is asked to save the game.
He mostly relies on a four seam fastball and a slider. In 2016 he had 15 saves with an ERA of 4.11
2017 Houston Astros Prediction:
Which Astros team is going to show up this season? Will it be the 2015 team who made the playoffs, or the 2016 team who struggled to throw strikes and couldn’t seem to get timely hits.
I expect the 2015 team will be the one that plays this season. The pitching will be better this season and the Astros just have too much depth and experience at the plate to not play well.
Even if there are injuries the Astros will have bench guys, or guys from the farm system to call up and plug into the lineup.
Right now the over/under for wins for the Astros is 91.5, which is third highest behind the Red Sox and the Indians.
I expect the Astros to be right around that number. I think they will get 93 or 94 wins in a very difficult AL West.
I also expect the Astros to win the AL West, but fall short and lose in the American League Championship series to the Boston Red Sox.
What do you think of our 2017 Houston Astros predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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