2008 Houston Astros MLB Predictions & Season Preview
June 8, 2008
Ed Wade picked up the phone and started making deals as soon as the Astros’ organization hired him as their general manager. Wade dealt closer Brad Lidge to Philadelphia, brought in shortstop Miguel Tejada and closer Jose Valverde and signed several available arms to help this rotation. The Astros’ improved offense should be able to score plenty of runs. Now we will see if the Astros can make these runs hold up by finding some gems in the starting rotation other than proven veteran Roy Oswalt. Larry Cook gives you his 2008 Houston Astros predictions along with a season preview of what to expect in the following article.
Starting Rotation:
You won’t find a more dependable starter over the years than Roy Oswalt. His career 112-54 record and 3.07 ERA gives the Astros a steady Ace to work off of in their starting rotation. If Oswalt could pitch three times a week, the Astros would be a shoe-in to make the World Series. But as we all know it doesn’t work this way and Houston will have to find some consistency this season in their rotation to even have a shot at making the playoffs. Jason Jennings was brought over to be Houston’s No. 2 starter last season, but injuries to this guy has left the No. 2 spot up for grabs this season. Woody Williams was the No. 3 last year, but his inconsistency at the age of 41 will likely not improve. They key will be Brandon Backe, who underwent elbow surgery in September 2006 and returned to pitch the final month of the ‘07 season. If he is 100 percent this season it will go a long way in helping the Astros’ problems. Wandy Rodriquez is the logical fourth starter this season and if he could just pitch at home every game he starts, he would easily be a 20-game winner. But for whatever reason he struggles mightily on the road. The No. 5 spot in the rotation is wide open. Chris Sampson, who started 19 games last season, is the leading candidate. Fernando Nieve, Felipe Paulino and Jack Cassell are all possibilities heading into spring training.
Bullpen:
Wade made a great move by getting Jose Valverde to anchor the Astros’ bullpen this season. Valverde saved 47 games for the Diamondbacks last season, a team that actually gave up more runs than they scored during the season. Valverde was the only reason Arizona even had a chance to make the playoffs by shutting down the opposition in the ninth innings. Dave Borkowski went from a mop-up guy in 2006 to an important member of the pen in ‘07 and could be a key setup guy this year. Veterans Geoff Geary and Chad Paronto were signed in the offseason and should help out somewhere in the mix. Mark McLemore is the only left-handed reliever on the roster.
Line-Up:
The Astros lineup may be the most dangerous in all of the NL Central when healthy. CF Michael Bourn had only 119 at’bats for the Phils in ‘07, but the Astros like his speed and defense. He hits for a great average and is the typical leadoff hitter for Houston. 2B Kaz Matsui gets a new life in Houston, adding even more speed to the top of this line-up. Bourne and Matsui’s speed will be huge with SS Miguel Tejada, 1B Lance Berkman, LF Carlos Lee and RF Hunter Pence hitting behind them. This may be the most powerful combination of No. 3-6 hitters the entire league has to offer. The Astros will sell more tickets this season by signing Tejada and we expect it to pan out in the production department as well. 3B Ty Wigginton needs to take advantage of shallow left field at Minute Maid Park. He only his 6 bombs last season and that number must rise in 2008. Catcher J.R. Towles is a career .301 hitter in the minors. He will take over behind the plate this year with the Astros expecting his production to carry over to the Majors. Houston has a solid corps coming off the bench with IF Mark Loretta, C Brad Ausmus, IF Geoff Blum, OF Darn Erstad and C Humberto Quintero. The Astros have plenty of depth behind the plate if Towles fails to produce. Blum is a valuable switch-hitter with some pop. Erstad is just a solid ball player that has gotten the job done every where he has gone.
Astros 2008 Predictions:
With not many free-agent pitchers on the market in the offseason, the Astros bulked up their offense by adding Tejada. On paper, the Astros look to have the best lineup in the NL Central and perhaps all of the National League. Houston will put up enough runs to be in most games. With a proven closer in Valverde to shut down opponents in the ninth inning, we love the Astros chances to finish in second place in the NL Central Division this season. Brandon Backe is finally healthy and gives Houston that No. 2 starter they have been looking for to try and match the valuable Roy Oswalt on a weekly basis. Houston is a good sleeper pick to win the NL Central at 10/1 odds if you want to take that chance, but we don’t feel they have enough to overcome the Cubs this season.
Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his baseball picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbook and bookies. You won’t believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry’s long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning MLB action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.
2008 Houston Astros Odds:
Odds to win NL Central:
10/1
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant:
20/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series:
60/1
