It’s here, Opening Day, one of the greatest days of the year. Every team is full of optimism that this could be their year, and at this point, everyone is tied atop the standings meaning for the time being, they have a shot. Obviously that can change at any moment. If you get off to a slow start, that could become a hole that is too difficult to dig yourself out of, something the Astros learned the hard way last season when they played poorly at the start of the 2016 season, and needed a huge run during the season just to make it back to respectability and near a possible playoff spot. Houston begins their season with a four game series against the Mariners, and then a three game series against the Royals.
The Mariners are a solid squad, but being a home series, anything less than 3 wins for the Astros would be a disappointment. The Royals do not have the roster they’ve had in recent years, so it would be reasonable to expect the Astros to have at least 5 wins in this 7 game homestand. The Astros face some solid pitchers against the Mariners, but no one that will likely blow them away.
King Felix has dropped off a bit, but word is he could be on the rise once again. Keuchel will face Hernandez in Game 1, which will have as much excitement surrounding it as any game at Minute Maid in recent memory. Keuchel needs to bounce back and at least be somewhat close to his 2015 self. In Game 2, Lance McCullers will face off with Hisashi Iwakuma. McCullers played great in 2016 before missing extended time due to injury, hopefully he can stay healthy in 2017 and potentially become an ace for the Astros if Keuchel doesn’t return to form. In Game 3, Charlie Morton makes his team debut against James Paxton. While this doesn’t have the same excitement as the first two matchups on the mound, Morton could become a great asset for Houston, and if he can continue to throw hard like he did in spring training, the Astros will be very happy.
Prediction: The Astros will take 3 of 4 from the Mariners, and then will follow that up with 2 of 3 against the Royals. 5 wins isn’t too much to ask with the way the schedule is set up.