Our MLB 2015 Predictions Simulation From MLB 15: The Show

Houston Astros

#2016.

I know numbers alone won’t show up as a hashtag, but be prepared for their 2015 MLB season, if the simulation is to be believed. It is in their pitching staff where the Astros must lend their thanks. Dallas Keuchel put work together, sporting a clean 3 ERA over 24 quality starts. Collin McHugh did swell, striking out 165, while Dan Straily followed suit with 157 of his own. Brett Oberholtzer brought the command among a throng of control pitchers, walking just 43 over a full season, while relievers Chad Qualls, Luke Gregerson, Josh Fields and Pat Neshek came in to shut down the offense. 22 pitcher wins from 4 relievers is certainly a lucky oddity.

With that short perch and humid air in Minute Maid Park, home runs came naturally to the offense. Chris Carter followed up doubters of his renewed progress, belting 37 homers. Evan Gattis followed up with 36, George Springer took 28 deep and Colby Rasmus smoked out 29 of his own. With Jose Altuve earning a high OPS through getting on base and hitting for a high BA (driving up his slugging), he maintained productivity while striking out just 79 times over 599 AB’s. Alas, a cold September kept a promising Astros team out of the playoffs.

Next: Seattle Mariners