Who are the Astros’ biggest threats to repeat as AL Champions?

Let’s look around the league for contenders, shall we?

Cleveland Indians

Team Batting: 4.40 RS/G

Team Pitching: 3.85 RA/G

Off the heels of a 102 win campaign and a sudden exit in the postseason, the Indians and Astros were doomed on a collision course. A 3-2 series win by the Yankees in the ALDS would change that script. Projected to win 98 games, they started off 4-5 this season. The Indians also didn’t get better this offseason like rumored to. In fact, they lost Carlos Santana, Jay Bruce, and Bryan Shaw. But skipper Terry Francona is the type of guy that can flip the script and make mid-season splashes like acquiring Manny Machado a little more aggressively come trade deadline.

Threat Level: 5

Boston Red Sox

Team Batting: 4.66 RS/G

Team Pitching: 3.91 RA/G

The Rex Sox had themselves a nice offseason. Being sent home early by the Astros, they went out and grabbed OF J.D Martinez, 1B Mitch Moreland, and infielder Eduardo Nunez. You need defense when playing in the AL and Boston seems to set themselves up well. Their own vice though is the AL East. Nothing is given when playing your fierce rivals the Yankees. They must scratch and claw their way to 90 or so wins to have a shot at even the wild card. But don’t count them out if they do make it out alive.

Threat Level: 8

New York Yankees

Team Batting: 4.75 RS/G

Team Pitching: 3.92 RA/G

Already dubbed the American League champs prematurely, the Yankees have sought out to defend that invisible title. They went out and signed NL MVP, Giancarlo Stanton. Doing their best impression of the “Splash Brothers” like the Warriors of the NBA, the Yankees big three are the “Mash Brothers.” With Stanton, AL MVP runner-up Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez who combined for 144 total home runs last season. They are off to a very quick start with 6 homers thus far. They still have the best bullpen intact from last year and with an offense like that makes a dangerous team looking for revenge.

Threat Level: 9