Love It Or Hate It, The Houston Astros Are A Good Team
Let’s make one thing clear. I cannot stand the Astros. Everything they did a few years back, ruining the integrity of the game by cheating their way to and through the World Series still stings mightily. It doesn’t make it any better when you have a terrible commissioner who essentially gave them a slap on the wrist. Any other sport, and all these players would be banned for life from the game. Now four years later, they are clean and playing baseball. Many of the players on that 2017 asterisk championship team are gone. But love it or hate it, the Houston Astros are a good team.
In the 2020 pandemic shortened season, Houston carried a subpar winning percentage of 29-31. However, this season was no other season. There were 16 playoff spots which included meant winning second place in the division allowed for a spot. The Astros finished second behind the Oakland A’s. In this playoff format, a new wild card best of three series took place and they were poised to play the Minnesota Twins. Houston swept them. Next, was the ALDS with them playing their division rivals Oakland. They won that series three games to one. Now they were in the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. And they made it so so close to making another World Series appearance. They forced a seventh game but barely came up short.
The 2020 regular season wasn’t a good indicator of how good the Stros were as a team. They are a flat-out better team than Oakland. Had they not gone through a slump of losing eight games out of nine, they might’ve had a shot at first place. Through a full season, this team would’ve easily earned first place. Now in 2021, they’re proving they’re a decent ballclub, carrying on their postseason success. The only returning players from that cursed 2017 team are Yuli Gurriel, Jose Altuve, Lance McCullers, Carlos Correa, and Alex Bregman. Four of them are a part of their core infield.
The Astros have done a good job of bringing up players at the right time after 2017. Yordan Alvarez is a key force at the plate and can do some serious damage. Ryan Pressly is a decent back end of the bullpen and would be the clear choice as their closer going forwards. Their team is very young with the exception of their pitching staff. Zack Greinke is 36 yet is still a viable ace. Their strong start for 2021 should shock no one. I get it if you dislike the Houston Astros. But they’re still a winning ball club.
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