There isn't much to say about the 2013 Houston Astros as the season gets too start. They Astros are facing the Texas Ranger in MLB's 2013 Season Opener. Find out what the predictions are for the Astros' season as the 2013 campaign kicks off.
Last place in the A.L. West sounds just about right. Though money hasn't had much to do with a team's success, lack of stars and experienced players do make a difference as the Astros are loaded with youth, however, talented youth.
The Astros might surprise people with a couple of wins this year. They have guys like Carlos Pena, All-Star Jose Altuve, their ace is Bud Norris. These players are pretty much the faces of the franchise as we head into the 2013 season.
It's tough enough having to start a season in a new league and working the payroll down to just a couple of tens of millions of dollars, but everybody in the A.L. West, for the most part, got better over the break. The Oakland Athletics didn't do major tweaking as they're young pitching staff is expected to once again perform at a high level, but they filled in some gaps on offense. Other guys like The Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners stole the offseason show having made huge moves over the break. The Angels got Josh Hamilton and Jason Vargas while the Mariners acquired Kendrys Morales and Michael Morse. The Rangers are probably the team that might disappoint this season. They are stacked with talent, but have a weaker lineup. Their pitching though, remains above average.
For Houston this season, J.D. Martinez, Justin Maxwell and Brandon Barnes appear as the only outfielders in their roster. Expect guys like Matt Dominguez to get play at shortstop, Marwin Gonzalez to take over third base and Brett Wallace to spend some time at first base. Pena looks to be their designated hitter since he will be the guy packing the power for the ballclub.
All in all, the Astros should be in the cellar and playing for last place int he 2013 season. They don't have the pitching power nor the adequate offense to get very far in this upcoming season. Though the Mariners were the team to pick on in the past few seasons, the Astros will become that team in the 2013 season. Maybe their young stars can rise to the occasion and motivate future free agents to play in Houston?
Altuve might struggle in his second year in the majors, though he does possess amazing hitting abilities measuring about 5' 7' in stature. Martinez should provide the pop and Maxwell could break out in 2013.
Check out some rumors over the offseason and in the past year involving the Astros as we get ready to launch the 2013 season.
The Astros face the Texas Rangers at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT as they get set to kick off the 2013 season. Chcek back with Sports World Report as we will bring you live blog and live stream of the action.