MLB Season Preview - Houston Astros

Published on March 8, 2026 at 8:21 AM

The Houston Astros enter the 2026 season at a crossroads. After missing the postseason for the first time since 2016, the core of the team is staring in the face of a harsh reality of the aging curve and a shifting AL West landscape.  The offseason was focused on improving the pitching.  After a season ravaged by arm injuries, GM Dana Brown focused on controllable arms and high-upside international talent. 

With Framber Valdez gone, the Astros brought in Tatsuya Imai (3 years, $54million) over from the KBO, and will return Lance McCullers Jr., from injury.  Houston is relying on depth and health to reclaim their hold off the AL West.

 

Lineup:

The offense remains anchored by Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuze, but the big story in the return of Carlos Correa to the hot corner after his 2025 mid-season homecoming. The plan with Altuve is to move him into a more LF/2B hybrid role defensively, but he will still bat leadoff.  Christian Walker is entering his second full year in Houston and the Astros are hoping his power bat can put the lineup into a higher gear. 

The defense remains very good up the middle with Jeremy Pena at short stop and Jake Meyers in center field.

Rotation:

The 2026 staff is a mix of high-velocity potential and “if healthy” gambles (which is never a good way to live). Hunter Brown will act in the ace role and is hoping to once again establish himself as a legitimate CY Young contender this season after finishing in 3rd place last season.  Imai comes to Houston and brings with him a mid-90s heater and a devastating splitter.  McCullers Jr. is entering a “make or break” final contract season and is hoping to reclaim his every fifth day start in the rotation.  Mike Burrows, acquired from the Pirates, possesses a 97th-percentile changeup and could make him a candidate to leapfrog into the #3 spot if McCullers Jr. falters.

 

Bullpen:

Josh Hader is currently sidelined by biceps inflammation so if he isn’t ready for Opening Day, Bryan Abreu – who handled the role well last season – will step back in to the 9th If Abreu moves to the closing role on an interim basis, Bryan King will step into the setup role as he solidified himself last season as the primary left-handed option in tight spots.  Nate Pearson, the former top prospect, brings 100mph heat and the Astros staff is hoping to finally unlock his consistency.  Steven Okert is a veteran lefty who provides a different look to opposing batters than King.

Projected Lineup:

  1. Jose Altuve – 2B
  2. Carlos Correa – 3B
  3. Yordan Alvarez – DH
  4. Christian Walker – 1B
  5. Yanier Diaz – C
  6. Jeremy Pena – SS
  7. Cam Smith – RF
  8. Jake Meyers – CF
  9. Zach Cole – LF

Projected Rotation:

  1. Hunter Brown
  2. Tatsuya Imai
  3. Lance McCullers Jr.
  4. Mike Burrows
  5. Cristian Javier

Projected Bullpen

Josh Hader – Closer

Bryan Abreu – Setup

Bryan King

Nate Pearson

Steven Okert

Eneyl De Los Santos

Manager: Joe Espada (3rd season)

 

Projection: 81-81 (3rd in the AL West)

 

Written By: Brian Finnigan

Rating: 0 stars
0 votes

«   »

Add comment

Comments

There are no comments yet.