Astros 2022 Season Predictions: Awards and Standings

As the Astros start the year off in Anaheim on Thursday, it’s time to make some predictions for how the season will finish.

Since the start of the “golden age” of the Houston Astros, the team finished with 86 wins in 2015, 84 wins in 2016, 101 wins in 2017, 103 wins in 2018, 107 wins in 2019 and 95 wins in 2021. This is the definition of consistency.

With a beefed up American League West, things will be a little different this season. The Los Angeles Angels, the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers should all be at least somewhat competitive.

As most of the team’s games will be against AL West foes, the number of wins should theoretically decrease. However, the Astros will have about the same amount of offense last year, if not more.

Also, the bullpen has gotten a little better, in my opinion, and is underrated as of right now. If centerfield play and the starting rotation can be where it needs to, or if general manager James Click makes trades to improve these areas, then the Astros should be right back around 100 wins this season.

Prediction: 92 Wins & AL West Championship

Postseason Prediction

The Astros have absolutely proven themselves as a contender, making the postseason in six of the last seven years, making the World Series in three of the last five and winning one in 2017.

It seems like at the beginning of every season, most baseball analysts underrate the team, expecting them to be bounced in the American League Division Series. I think this is from the target that the team has on its back, due to the cheating scandal.

Personally, I think this team is good enough to win a World Series, but it really depends on who is hot come October. We learned this in 2019, as on paper that Astros were one of the best ever, yet they lost to what I would consider a very mediocre Washington Nationals team.

The key in that series was that the Nationals had gotten hot at exactly the right time, and the Astros had gone somewhat cold. With this being known, it is hard to predict who will win the World Series seven months from now, but I will try my best.

Personally, I think the Toronto Blue Jays are the most complete team this year, but it could be tough for them to win in the postseason as many of their stars are young or just arrived in Toronto.

Others predict the New York Yankees or the Los Angeles Dodgers to win, as they have many big names, but I think they are built more for fanfare than for actual team chemistry.

Prediction: Astros lose to the Bluejays in the American League Championship Series (seven games)

Justin Verlander wins his third Cy Young

Verlander has been on absolute fire throughout spring training this year, only allowing 11 hits, four walks and two runs through 13.2 innings. Even though this is only spring training, I think this points to a big year for the 39-year-old.

I think the mental aspect of the game has always been big for Verlander, looking back on his struggles in Detroit in the early 2010s. The fact that he thinks that he is not completely ready yet, while still being an ace throughout the preseason, leads me to believe that he is ready and working towards a monster year, and I believe that the time is now.

My sleeper prediction is that Ryan Pressly wins a Cy Young as a closer. He has quietly been getting better and better every year.

The Astros MVP

In my opinion, there’s no question that it will be Kyle Tucker. The 25-year-old is projected to slash an .869 OPS and .347 OBP on Baseball-Reference, but I think he can do much better. I see Tucker breaking into his own, similar to what Alex Bregman did in 2018.

As Tucker is young and fast, I also think that he will move to centerfield permanently this season, as well as become the leadoff man for the team. I tested both of these theories in MLB the Show, so I know what I am talking about.

Yordan Alvarez could also become the home run leader for certain stretches throughout the year, while he moves to left field and Michael Brantley moves to right.

Breakout Player

This one is pretty easy to guess, and it’s Jeremy Peña. With a 1.199 OPS in spring training, Peña has proved that he is ready for the big stage. It is hard to replace Carlos Correa, but Peña should not try to.

He is good enough to be his own superstar, and with so much offensive power around him, the pressure will be much lower for the 24-year-old. As I am two years younger than Peña, I thought to myself how I would feel in his shoes, and I think I would be very nervous.

Do not be surprised if he does not have it at the beginning of the year, Astros fans, but give him time, and he will be ready by October to be a star.