{"id":117357,"date":"2026-03-31T01:59:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T05:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=117357"},"modified":"2026-03-31T01:59:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T05:59:29","slug":"2026-houston-astros-season-prediction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/31\/2026-houston-astros-season-prediction\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Houston Astros Season Prediction"},"content":{"rendered":"

The opening weekend of the MLB season is now past us, and baseball is officially in full swing. The 162-game grind for the Houston Astros is underway, and it is a pivotal one for the club in 2026. The Astros missed the postseason for the first time since 2016 last season and have expectations to get back to playing October baseball again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Astros Face Pivotal Season After October Miss<\/h2>\n

The Astros lost their first full-season American League West division title last season after having won it for seven straight full seasons, going back to 2017. Houston will be looking to make it eight of nine in that category. The key will obviously be health, as that completely threw the Astros season off the rails.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The front office made a few changes and additions to the pitching staff<\/a> and outfield. It will be interesting to see if that does the trick. Owner Jim Crane has high expectations for what he believes is a good team. Astros manager Joe Espada<\/a> and general manager Dana Brown have gotten one more year<\/a> to prove themselves. If this all goes well, there won\u2019t be more questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone in Houston is eager to see the Astros back in action and be successful. The fans want to see them back in the postseason, but how far can the Astros actually go? Here is my 2026 Houston Astros season prediction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n

2026 Astros Season Prediction<\/h3>\n

Record: 91-71, <\/strong>1st in AL West\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. Seattle Mariners (90-72)<\/li>\n
  2. Texas Rangers (88-74)<\/li>\n
  3. Athletics (81-81)<\/li>\n
  4. Los Angeles Angels (75-87)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Postseason Ceiling: World Series Appearance (more likely ALCS)<\/h4>\n

    It\u2019s hard to predict just how far the Astros could go in the postseason, but with a wide-open American League, I see no issue in saying the Astros could get back to the World Series and re-establish themselves as one of the top teams in the American League. A more realistic prediction at this point is the ALCS. The Astros haven\u2019t been there since 2023.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Houston had a streak of seven straight ALCS appearances and four American League pennants from 2017 to 2023. I would consider it a successful season if the Astros get to that point again. It all depends on health. That\u2019s the key.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Strengths and Weaknesses<\/h3>\n

    If the Astros have all their players available, there\u2019s a good chance it could happen, given all the postseason experience. The Houston offense has the big names in Jose Altuve<\/a>, Carlos Correa<\/a>, Yordan Alvarez<\/a>, Isaac Paredes<\/a>, and Christian Walker<\/a>. Those players would need to deliver. The Astros would also need a couple of outfielders, such as Jake Meyers<\/a>, Cam Smith<\/a>, or Joey Loperfido<\/a>, to contribute well on offense.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Yordan Alvarez ROCKETS one out! \ud83d\ude80 pic.twitter.com\/5DLpQKb3vL<\/a><\/p>\n

    \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n