{"id":3572,"date":"2023-03-30T14:40:38","date_gmt":"2023-03-30T21:40:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=3572"},"modified":"2023-03-30T14:40:39","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T21:40:39","slug":"astros-good-bet-to-repeat-as-champs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/03\/30\/astros-good-bet-to-repeat-as-champs\/","title":{"rendered":"Astros Good Bet To Repeat As Champs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/astros\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Houston Astros<\/a> are a decent bet to repeat as World Series champions for a very good reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make that at least 45 good reasons. Start with a powerful 26-man roster, guided by one of the best managers in baseball history in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=bakerdu01,baker-000dus&amp;search=Dusty+Baker&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dusty Baker<\/a>. Toss in an exemplary coaching staff and then look to the entire 40-man roster, which has several prospects ready to come up if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s not to say that commissioner Rob Manfred should just cancel the season and hand the trophy over to the Astros right now. Heaven forbid that would be another decision to change the course of the sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Astros lost ace right-hander <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/verlaju01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Justin Verlander<\/a> (18-4, 1.75 ERA) to free agency. They did not replace him in the rotation but went a different route to beef up the offense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Adding A+ Offense<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"getty embed image\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<a id=\"-86EiEKmRhl_iAnop4ouBA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1474467290\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'-86EiEKmRhl_iAnop4ouBA',sig:'o-VE4ulW8UWIuwVzHJuBVosLYgjctCk25_UN_bvQa4U=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1474467290',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src=\"\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" async=\"\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Welcome former MVP <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/abreujo02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jose Abreu<\/a>, the slugging first baseman signed as a free agent from the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/white-sox\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chicago White Sox<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It did not appear Houston needed more offense. Now, with sparkplug second baseman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/altuvjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jose Altuve<\/a> sidelined for at least the first two months with a hand injury suffered in the World Baseball Classic, that big bat looks mighty nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Abreu replaces two free-agent losses at first base. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gourryu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Yuli Gurriel<\/a> slowed down quite a bit last year at age 38 and went off to the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/marlins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Miami Marlins<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mancitr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Trey Mancini<\/a> did not hit well at all after being acquired in a mid-season trade from the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/03\/17\/baltimore-orioles-2023-ready-to-fly-again\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Baltimore Orioles<\/a> and signed with the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/cubs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chicago Cubs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Long-Ball Lineup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"PhHqGgS7Rz1fRLEufTzYpg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1243281377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'PhHqGgS7Rz1fRLEufTzYpg',sig:'dyiw5mDVy89_yvjmo9zhI1Bxur0GGF_GRbxwlDcVzhk=',w:'594px',h:'424px',items:'1243281377',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src=\"\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" async=\"\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>The outfield of super slugger <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/alvaryo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Yordan Alvarez<\/a> (37 HR, 97 RBI, .306) in left field, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mccorch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Chas McCormick<\/a> in center, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tuckeky01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Kyle Tucker<\/a> (30 HR, 107 RBI, .257) in right is more than formidable. Add <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bregmal01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Alex Bregman<\/a> (23 HR, 93 RBI, .259) at third, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/penaje02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jeremy Pena<\/a> (22 HR, 63 RBI as a rookie) at short, Altuve (.307 career average), and Abreu around the infield &#8211; and Houston can afford to carry weak-hitting catcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/maldoma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Martin Maldonado<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alvarez, Abreu, Bregman and Tucker are all MVP candidates. Any or all of them could drive in more than 100 runs. Abreu had 100+ RBI in six of his full eight seasons with the White Sox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sweet-swinging veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brantmi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Michael Brantley<\/a> who missed most of 2022 with a shoulder injury is due back. If healthy he should provide additional punch at designated hitter. The lefty hit man was batting .288 when he got hurt, has a .298 career average, and hit .299 or above in seven full seasons prior to 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Power-Packed Pitching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Maldonado&#8217;s job is to keep the prolific pitching staff on track. That&#8217;s what the veteran backstop does best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"uw7yMTr6ScJSryN8berJ9A\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1439355430\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'uw7yMTr6ScJSryN8berJ9A',sig:'xlc_iLSI_9Zae9lr-1G2tHl3SalStjjtAypf7PDsSXs=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1439355430',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src=\"\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" async=\"\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Who will replace Verlander as the ace? The top four in the rotation all have the credentials. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/javiecr01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Cristian Javier<\/a> (2.84 ERA, 194 strikeouts in 148 2\/3 innings) combined with relievers for a no-hitter in the World Series. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=garcilu05,garcilu04,garcilu03,garcilu02,garcilu01,garcia023lui,garcia029lui,garcia028lui,garcia022lui,garcia021lui,garcia017lui&amp;search=Luis+Garcia&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Luis Garcia<\/a> (15-8, 157 Ks), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/valdefr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Framber Valdez<\/a> (17-6, 2.82 EEA, 194Ks), and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/u\/urquijo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jose Urquidy<\/a> (13-8) could be No. 1, too. Any of the four could be on the All-Star team this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That goes for closer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/pressry01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.baseball-reference.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ryan Pressly<\/a> (33 saves). His job is usually made easier by a tremendous setup corps in front of him that includes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/montera01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Rafael Montero<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nerishe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Hector Neris<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/abreubr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bryan Abreu<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/matonph01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Phil Maton<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/stanery01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ryne Stanek<\/a>. Every one of that quintet throws hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More Riches Available<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"getty embed image\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"ji3KVWefTlhUeBLomBvv_g\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1471913138\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ji3KVWefTlhUeBLomBvv_g',sig:'kK1WBQNy99XtLrA6nZfBtNQI_hS5WjwyJYOatvmuJ9o=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1471913138',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src=\"\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" async=\"\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>The hardest thrower of all, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=brownhu01,brown-007hun,brown-006hun,brown-004hun&amp;search=Hunter+Brown&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Hunter Brown<\/a> (2-0, 0.89 ERA in 20 innings) was ticketed for the starting rotation but is currently sidelined by a sore back. At Triple-A last year, he went 9-4 with a 2.55 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 106 innings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"U6zKUzTnT1ZAIo-eR7q4TQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1241869156\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'U6zKUzTnT1ZAIo-eR7q4TQ',sig:'NF4d7JXSHl3ZQRkD7ut11APn7wneeo6nmcgjSEzuht0=',w:'432px',h:'594px',items:'1241869156',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src=\"\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" async=\"\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcculla01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lance McCullers<\/a>, who also will start the season rehabbing an injury. Getting back his big curveball and fastball at some point during the season is almost like making a trade for another starter. Only Houston will not have to give up any players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trying to replace Altuve at second base in the early going will be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/dubonma01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mauricio Dubon<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/henslda01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">David Hensley<\/a>. Dubon has hit .303 in his career in the minors. Last year at Triple-A, the 6-foot-6 Hensley batted .298 with 20 steals in 104 games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/matijjj01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">J.J. Matijevic<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/meyerja02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jake Meyers<\/a> are other good young hitters available off the bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Added to the roster this week is young catcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/diazya02.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yanier Diaz<\/a>, a veritable hit machine acquired from Cleveland with Maton in the 2021 trade that sent outfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/strawmy01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Myles Straw<\/a> to the Guardians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Diaz has a career .321 average in five years in the minors. In 2022 at Triple-A, he crashed 25 homers with 96 RBI and a .306 average. Right now, his primary job is to soak up as much instruction as he can from Maldonado. He also provides manager Baker potential pop as a pinch hitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All the parts are there, and then some. Sometimes, however, parts get broken. Such is the case with perennial All-Star Altuve. The Astros have the depth to overcome such things as long as too many misfortunes do not occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Main Photo:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"US144ReGQtFu0hqcqMZMog\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1439851596\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'US144ReGQtFu0hqcqMZMog',sig:'GMaS0zUF0TajwsrnJ972sJWxxnNR4DsGmCNql3mpWoc=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1439851596',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src=\"\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" async=\"\"><\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Houston Astros are a decent bet to repeat as World Series champions for a very good reason. Make that at least 45 good reasons. Start with a powerful 26-man roster, guided by one of the best managers in baseball history in Dusty Baker. Toss in an exemplary coaching staff and then look to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":3625,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[811,845,848,847,268,272,640,849,707,274],"class_list":["post-3572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-astros","tag-2023-mlb-season","tag-alex-bregman","tag-cristian-javier","tag-framber-valdez","tag-jose-abreu","tag-jose-altuve","tag-kyle-tucker","tag-lance-mccullers","tag-ryan-pressly","tag-yordan-alvarez","pmpro-has-access","eq-blocks"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Astros Good Bet To Repeat As Champs - Sport Relay<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Houston Astros have so many good reasons why they are a good bet to repeat as World Series champions in 2023.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/03\/30\/astros-good-bet-to-repeat-as-champs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Astros Good Bet To Repeat As Champs - 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