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Houston Astros: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2018 season
Bullpen and Closers.
The Astros undoubtedly addressed the bullpen needs signing Joe Smith and Hector Rondon. The one area I wanted them to focus on was the closer role. They didn’t go out and make a splash signing a closer which tells me they have faith in a rebounding Ken Giles. Don’t get me wrong, Giles had a great regular season. He saved 34 of 38 opportunities with an ERA of 2.30. But the postseason was a different story. He had 7.2 combined innings pitched with an 11.74 ERA.
This season though, he has some help.
Fangraphs projects Giles to have 33 saves with an ERA of 3.15. If the struggles do follow him into the 2018 season and the help acquired doesn’t help out like anticipated don’t count the Astros out from making moves. They won’t allow bullpen troubles to be the Achilles Heel in their run to win a back to back titles.
My Bold Prediction: Astros trade for a closer at the deadline. Who that may be remains unsure. I’m guessing we’d be hearing Zach Britton and Craig Kimbrel’s (we can dream right) names thrown around.