HOUSTON ASTROS

Team Strengths: The Astros are second to none when it comes to homegrown position players, with Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and George Springer leading an offense that finished sixth in the majors in runs last year. They included Michael Brantley in free service and have more bats on the way in prospects Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez.
Team Weaknesses: The Astros’ track record of developing homegrown pitching is shaky, and they will not receive a boost from victories Dallas Keuchel (free agency) or Lance McCullers Jr. (Tommy John surgery) this year. They have managed to paper over that shortcoming with transactions (Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole), however the back of Houston’s rotation will be thin when not one of prospects Josh James, Framber Valdez, Forrest Whitley, Corbin Martin or J.B. Bukauskas can reverse the club’s track record of creating starters.
They Did About It: The Astros signed Wade Miley to present their rotation some more thickness after losing Keuchel and Charlie Morton in free agency. Still, one of those aforementioned prospects will have to measure if the Astros would be to lead the majors in ERA, since they did this past year.
Last Outlook: The Astros’ offensive firepower along with this rotation should be enough to secure a third consecutive division title. How much their young pitchers chip in will determine how much they go in the postseason.

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