ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting solo home run against Jordan Montgomery #52 of the Texas Rangers during the first inning in Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 20, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Houston Astros are in first place in the AL West and have the third-best record in the American League.
Houston won the AL West in 2024 with a record of 88-73. Despite winning its division, Houston’s season ended in the wild-card round, as the team got swept by the Detroit Tigers.
The Astros prioritized re-signing their free agents, bringing back Jeremy Peña, Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia and Mauricio Dubón. The Astros also signed first baseman Christian Walker to a three-year $60 million contract.
Houston also made one of the biggest trades of the offseason, sending All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski, and Cam Smith.
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The Astros’ offense has been productive, led by Peña, Paredes and Jose Altuve.
Houston is in the top 10 for on-base percentage and avoiding striking out. Houston also has a top-three batting average and is in the top half of the league for home runs and slugging percentage.
The Astros’ pitching has also been fantastic this season, led by Hunter Brown and Valdez.
Houston has a top 10 ERA, and the team ranks in the top three for walks and hits per inning pitched (WHIP) and batting average allowed. Houston also has the most strikeouts in the league.
Houston suffered a blow as Paredes went down with a season-ending hamstring injury. Even though the injury is a significant loss for Houston, the team has made multiple trades to compensate for the lost production.
The Astros traded for third baseman Ramon Urias from the Baltimore Orioles and Jesus Sanchez from the Miami Marlins.
Houston also traded for shortstop Carlos Correa. Correa spent seven seasons in Houston and was part of the controversial Astros’ 2017 World Series victory, during which the team was caught cheating by using cameras to steal opponents’ signs and banging on trash cans to signal the pitch to the batter.
With the success the team has had this season, combined with the recent trades, Houston looks to be a serious contender this season. With a lethal offense and pitching staff, another World Series ring is a possibility for the Astros.
Houston appears to be a lock to make the postseason at -2500 odds. Houston’s odds to win the American League are +450, and its odds to win the World Series are +1200.
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