Things can change drastically in baseball in just a few short years, and the Houston Astros are the latest example of a team going from ugly to contenders at a rapid pace. The Astros, who lost 107 and 111 games in 2012 and 2013, respectively, suddenly found itself in the playoffs after overachieving, compared to past performances, in 2015. The thing is, their window is just starting to open. There’s a plethora of young talent in Houston’s system which will only get better. I believe they are ready to take that next step and represent the American League in the 2016 World Series.
The American League Pennant Rises in Houston in 2016
Let us not forget that the ‘Stros had the Royals on life support in 2015 before Kansas City won Game Four, with six outs to work with, and then Game Five to win the ALDS. The Astros were the only team to push K.C. to an elimination game en route to their second championship. Had Houston’s bullpen not collapsed, they’d have been the ones to face the Blue Jays in the ALCS.
Indeed, the bullpen needed tweaking, and GM Jeff Luhnow went out and got Ken Giles from the Phillies. Granted, the Astros did give up five players to obtain him. Notables in the deal to Philadelphia were right-handed starter Mark Appel, the first overall selection in the 2013 draft, as well as Vincent Velasquez, a promising prospect who appeared in nineteen games and made seven starts. So there was a price to pay, but Giles is twenty-five, isn’t arbitration eligible until 2018, and will not hit the free agent market until 2021.
His services should be greatly appreciated. Giles does need to improve his walk rate, but he does bring a ton of strikeouts and a low ERA with him to the Astros. The bullpen ERA for Houston was sixth in the majors in 2015, but the need for a change was evident given the ‘pens failure to shut down the Royals.
We shall see what Dallas Keuchel can do as an encore to his Cy Young season. If he brings it again in 2016, look out. Collin McHugh is a solid number two option, and it will be interesting to find out what Mike Fiers does in his first full season with the club. Another question mark is new addition Doug Fister; can he find new life in Houston following his struggles with the Nationals in 2015?
The bats are loaded, and with Minute Maid Park a lauching pad as always, look for one of the deadliest offenses in baseball. Carlos Correa made waves in his rookie year, and he’ll only get better as a sophomore. Luis Valbuena, Evan Gattis, and Colby Ramsus can all supply firepower. A healthy Carlos Gomez would be an asset to any team with the tools he has offensively and defensively. This offense can be streaky, but that’s not to say they’re unable to make a run with good pitching from the rotation and bullpen in addition to high octane bats.
This Astros team was once a joke. They can no longer be labeled as such. The Royals will still be no pushover, but Houston was the closest to eliminating them in 2015. With the players and their capabilities growing from experience, there’s every reason to believe they can, and will, be American League Champions.
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