On Carter, I expect his BB% to improve from last year. I don't expect 900, but in the .800s. From a hitting perspective, I'm most interested in Gattis. Catching is tough and guys tend to bat better when they switch from being catcher. Gattis has performance has declined the last two years as the season has gone on and he's battled injuries. I'm skeptical of his defense, but he should be able to hit.
You can see it however you wanna see it, I guess. That poor attempt at humor aside... I think Keuchel and McHugh prove that their 2014s were no fluke.
I didn't think my statement was hard to understand, but I'll explain anyhow. Scoring across baseball is down, way, way down. The number of hitters who put up big numbers is very low. While the number of pitchers who put up great numbers is very high. 22 Pitchers posted an ERA under 3.00, and 50 posted an ERA under 3.60.
My Predictions: 1) Our starting pitching will not be as good as last year. 2) Our bullpen will be better, but not as good as predicted. 3) We will have more solo HR's than ever. 4) Singleton will be in the minors for some time. 5) Will trade for a starter before the all star break.
Cole Hamels is an Astro by trade deadline. Gattis and Springers' injuries cost them a combined 100 games. 88-74. WC. Lose WC game 4-2. Go Stros. Hope Springs Eternal.
That would be pretty rare, as NL teams have the advantage in striking out and AL teams have the advantage of hitting HRs.
For 1, I agree overall, but think it will be closer than the projections (Zips, Steamer, Fangraphs depth charts) suggest. For 2, I think the Astros will outperform the projections (Steamer, Zips, fangraphs depth charts) not including Astros fans projections. Specifically, Gregorson and Fields are projected much worse than I expect. For No. 3. I really don't have a good read on this. Altuve, Springer, and Valbuena should be very good at setting plate for Gattis and Carter. Fowler and Dominguez exits should cancel each out. Solo HRs just seems like it would have a lot of variability season to season making it difficult to predict. For No. 4, depends on health of guys on MLB 25-man roster, but I expect it as long as guys on MLB team are healthy. For No. 5, I don't see it unless they just get offered a very good deal. I suspect Appel will be coming up around deadline. If Astros are healthy, they should be able to get decent production out of 5 of McHugh, Keuchel, Woj, Oberholtzer, Feldman, and Appel. If the Astros aren't healthy, I don't see them as renters of 1 year of service.
87-75 I also agree with Cardpire about Hamels being an Astros. If not Hamels, then another well known pitcher will be an Astro by the trade deadline.
