To recap prior seasons, in 2012 we projected 74 wins and the team actually won 55. In 2014 it was 72 and 70. 2015 was 81 and 86, 2016 was 93 and 84, and last year we had 94 against 101 actual. We're not pretending to be rocket surgeons, but this is just a fun exercise to try to get a general idea of how the team might do.
The same general disclaimer still applies: Anytime we put together projections the goal isn't to be perfect. While we're looking for a likely outcome for each individual player, the goal is more to get an idea of the team as a whole. Some players will have career years, while others will get injured or collapse unexpectedly. If I could predict those things, I'd be in a front office somewhere. We're just trying to get a reasonable baseline of expectations for the team.
Last year, I didn't see the offense becoming a GOAT. Gurriel and Bregman really stepped up in their first full seasons. Altuve proved that his new power wasn't a fluke. Springer took his game to another level. And if anyone told you they saw Marwin's season coming you should throw them in the water to see if they float.
On the other side, the pitching staff really struggled with injuries. Keuchel was penciled in for 200 innings and McHugh with 185. Thankfully guys like Peacock stepped in to keep things from going off the rails.
There are a couple questions coming into this year. First, can the pitching staff return to health. Verlander has been a workhorse most of his career, but no one else on the staff has a great track record concerning durability. Second, how much will the offense come back down to Earth, if at all. With the relative youth of their core, the Astros may not see as much regression as one would usually expect.
So, how does this season shape up?
As usual, there is some rounding, so individual totals may not quite add up.
It's hard to see anything but success given that the team is returning the core of last year's Championship squad, plus a full year of Verlander and the addition of Cole.
