The 2022 World Series champion Houston Astros added 2020 American League MVP Jose Abreu to their roster, while losing Yuli Gurriel and Justin Verlander. Here's a look at our projected starting lineup, pitching rotation and bullpen for the Astros for the 2023 MLB season.
The Houston Astros are less than two months away from Opening Day.
Over the winter, the Astros said goodbye to Justin Verlander and signed 2020 American League MVP Jose Abreu. They also re-signed left fielder and designated hitter Michael Brantley. The club still has time to re-sign first baseman Yuli Gurriel, who remains unsigned.
Here's a look at our projected starting lineup, pitching rotation and bullpen for the Astros in 2023, featuring 2022 slash lines and statistics:
STARTING LINEUP
C Martin Maldonado .186/.248/.600
1B Jose Abreu .304/.378/.824
2B Jose Altuve .300/.387/.920
3B Alex Bregman .259/.366/.820
SS Jeremy Pena .253/.289/.715
LF Michael Brantley .288/.370/.785
CF Chas McCormick .245/.332/.739
RF Kyle Tucker .257/.330/.808
DH Yordan Alvarez .306/.406/1.019
PITCHING ROTATION
1) Framber Valdez: 31 starts, 201.1 IP, 17-6, 2.82 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2.9 SO/W, 137 ERA+
2) Lance McCullers Jr.: 8 starts, 47.2 IP, 4-2, 2.27 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 2.27 SO/W, 171 ERA+
3) Cristian Javier: 30 starts, 148.2 IP, 11-9, 2.54 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 3.73 SO/W, 152 ERA+
4) Luis Garcia: 28 starts, 157.1 IP, 15-8, 3.72 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.34 SO/W, 104 ERA+
5) Jose Urquidy: 28 starts, 164.1 IP, 13-8, 3.94 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 3.53 SO/W, 98 ERA+
OTHER ROTATION OPTIONS (THAT COULD APPEAR IN THE BULLPEN)
Hunter Brown: 2 starts, 20.1 IP, 2-0, 0.89 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 3.14 SO/W, 443 ERA+
BULLPEN
Ryan Pressly: 3-3, 2.98 ERA, 50 appearances, 33 saves, 48.1 IP
Ryne Stanek: 2-1, 1.15 ERA, 59 appearances, 1 save, 54.2 IP
Hector Neris: 6-4, 3.72 ERA, 70 appearances, 3 saves, 65.1 IP
Phil Maton: 0-2, 3.84 ERA, 67 appearances, 0 saves, 65.2 IP
Rafael Montero: 5-2, 2.37 ERA, 71 appearances, 14 saves, 48.1 IP
Bryan Abreu: 4-0, 1.94 ERA, 55 appearances, 2 saves, 60.1 IP
JP France (Rookie)
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