With the start of the 2019 season rapidly approaching, I believe it’s time that we give you the ultimate breakdown of each division and predict their position in the standings come season’s end. It’s hard to predict record, so we’ll just give you their placement in the standings. Of course, this is coming from a fan’s perspective and what we think it could look like, not what it will. We’ll be starting off with the west coast and moving our way to the east. Today, we focus on the American League West:
Houston Astros
2018 record: 103-59, 1st in AL West
Projected Lineup: Starting Rotation: Key Bullpen Pieces: Key Bench Pieces:
CF George Springer RH Justin Verlander RH Brad Peacock UTL Aledmys Diaz
3B Alex Bregman RH Gerrit Cole RH Joe Smith OF Tony Kemp
2B Jose Altuve LH Wade Miley RH Roberto Osuna OF Jake Marisnick
SS Carlos Correa RH Collin McHugh
LF Michael Brantley RH Josh James
1B Yuri Gurriel
RF Josh Reddick
DH Tyler White
C Robinson Chirinos
Heading into 2019, the Astros are the runaway favorites to win the AL West for the third consecutive year. On the offensive side of the ball, they lost super utility man Marwin Gonzalez but gained a bat in the signing of Michael Brantley. In 2018 with Cleveland, Brantley batted .309 with a .364 OBP and 17 home runs in 143 games, the most games he’s played since 2015. Health will remain a big factor for Brantley, but if healthy, he only adds to this already deep lineup. With former AL MVP Jose Altuve and MVP caliber star Alex Bregman slotted between George Springer and Carlos Correa, there’s no question that this offense will put up the runs needed for some Ws.
The loss of Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton to free agency and Lance McCullers Jr. to Tommy John surgery is a blow to the rotation, but Houston still possesses a very lethal 1-2 punch in Verlander and Cole, who combined pitched to a 2.70 ERA and 566 strikeouts in 2018. The addition of Wade Miley, who had a bounce back season in 2018 with Milwaukee starting 16 games and pitching to an ERA of 2.57, will make him the lone left hander in the rotation, effectively replacing Keuchel. Let’s also not forget about pitching prospects Forrest Whitley and J.B. Bukauskas, who will see Triple A and quite possibly the majors in 2019.
With the starting rotation depth to be a bit shallow after the top 3, this makes the bullpen just as important. Last year, Astros relievers gave up a league lowest 3.30 runs per game. Anchored by Roberto Osuna, Houston hopes to continue their dominance in the West and another trip to the Fall Classic.
2019 prediction: 1st in AL West
