2012 Houston Astros Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Houston Astros were the worst team in baseball last year, finishing with a dismal 56-106 record. It was the most losses in club history, and it doesn’t look like things are going to get better in the near future. The team was recently sold to a group of businessmen, who will try and turn the organization around as they prepare for their final season in the NL Central. After this season the Astros will move to the American League, where they will most likely join the AL West. While the team decided to replace 2011 manager Ed Wade with Jeff Luhnow, they did little to improve the roster from a year ago. Let’s take a look at the projected starting lineup, starting rotation, and closer situation for the Astros in 2012.
Starting Lineup
Chris Snyder (Catcher) – The Astros went out and signed Synder away from the Pirates this offseason and it looks like he will at least open the season as the starter. Synder’s 2010 season was limited to just 34 games because of back problems. He did manage to hit .271 in limited action, but his .231 career average doesn’t give a lot of promise. Synder will likely give way to youngster Jason Castro at some point this season.
Carlos Lee (First Base) - The 35-year-old veteran hit .275 with 18 home runs and 94 RBI with the Astros last year. Despite the fact that he is getting up their in age, he is still a dependable run producer. Don’t be surprised if Lee doesn’t end up getting traded to a contender at some point this season, as he enters the final year of his contract with Houston.
Jose Altuve (Second Base) – The Astros got a taste of what Altuve has to offer in limited action last year. He hit .276 with two home runs and seven stolen bases in just 57 games. The kid has hit at every level, but it’s hard telling if the 21-year-old is ready to be an every day starter in the big leagues.
Jed Lowrie (Shortstop) – Houston acquired Lowrie in a trade with the Red Sox, and he will finally get a chance to show what he can do in a full-time role. He hit .287 with nine home runs and 24 RBI in just 55 games in 2010, but struggled last year with a .252 average in 88 games.
Jimmy Parendes (Third Base) -Parendes is a liability on a defense, but he showed some potential at the plate. In just 46 games last year, he hit .286 with two home runs and 18 RBI. Not bad considering Parendes turned just 23 in November.
J.D. Martinez (Left Field) – The Astros are excited to see what the 24-year-old can do in a full season. Martinez hit .274 with six home runs and 35 RBI after a late season call up. Definitely a player worth keeping an eye on in 2012.
Jason Bourgeois (Center Field) -Bourgeois really played well when given the chance last season. He doesn’t have a lot of power, but he hit .294 with 31 stolen bases in just 93 games. The big question is whether or not he will be able to keep his job. Houston acquired Jordan Schafer in the deal that sent Michael Bourn to Atlanta, who was a top prospect in the Braves farm system.
Brian Bogusevic (Right Field) – Bogusevic looked like a completely different hitter than the one who came up and hit just .179 in 19 games in 2010. He ended the 2011 season with a .287 average in 87 games, but it’s hard to expect a lot out of someone who has done so little at the age of 28.
Projected Rotation
Wandy Rodriguez (LHP) -Rodriguez doesn’t get a lot of respect because of how bad the team has played, but the veteran went out and won 11 games with a 3.49 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 30 starts last year. It was the third straight season Rodriguez posted a double-digit win total.
Brett Myers (RHP) – Myers had a huge drop in production last year. After going 14-8 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, the veteran finished 7-14 with a 4.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. Hard telling which pitcher will show up in 2012.
Bud Norris (RHP) – Norris took a huge step in the right direction last year. While he went just 6-11, his 3.77 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 176 strikeouts were all career best. The soon to be 27-year-old has the potential to be the ace of this staff for the next 5 years.
J.A. Happ (LHP) -The Astros are hoping Happ’s 2011 season was a fluke. In 28 starts with the Astros he posted a 5.35 ERA and 1.54 WHIP, but did show some promise by going 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA over his last six starts. This is the same guy who went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA with the Phillies in 2009.
Jordan Lyles (RHP) – Lyles didn’t exactly impress in his first stint in the majors. He went just 2-8 with a 5.36 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 15 starts. However, the kid is just 21-years-old with the potential to be a big part of the rotation going forward.
Projected Closer
Brandon Lyon (RHP) – Lyon’s 2011 season was limited to just 15 appearances because of a major arm surgery that cost him the final four months of the season. Not a elite closer by any means, but he did save 20 of 22 opportunities in 2010.
| 2012 Houston Astros Odds | |
| World Series | +20000 |
| NL Pennant | +10000 |
| NL Central | +10000 |
| Total Regular Season Wins | O63.5 (+100) |
| U63.5 (-130) |
Over/Under BA in the 2012 Regular Season
Carlos Lee – .280
Over/Under Total Wins in the 2012 Regular Season
Wandy Rodriguez – 11.5
Bud Norris – 9.5
J.A. Happ – 6.5
Over/Under Total Saves in the 2012 Regular Season
Brett Myers – 26.5
MLB Predictions by Team
Got something to say?
- Betting Basics
- Betting MLB Totals
- Big Favorites
- Dime Lines
- Guide to Betting
- First 5 Innings
- First Inning Bets
- How to Bet
- Interleague Play
- Key Numbers for Totals
- Matchups
- Money Lines Explained
- Parlay Returns
- Overnight Lines
- Rules
- Run Lines Explained
- Standings
- Sportsbooks
- Trends
- Underdog Betting Systems
- Handicapping
- Common Mistakes
- Listed Pitchers
- Hedging Run Line Bets
- Monitoring Umpires
- Revenge Systems
- Reverse Line Moves
- Spring Training
- Schedule
- Tips on Totals
- Preparing for Season
- Top Handicappers