Houston Astros: 7 Wacky Predictions for Their First Year in the AL

We're still a year away until the Houston Astros move into the American League, but that doesn't mean we can't discuss what we believe might happen.

The Astros have a long history in the National League, with not much to show for it.

But who knows? Just like the Milwaukee Brewers eventually started to experience success once they moved from the American League to the National League, maybe the Astros can do the same thing by switching leagues.

Regardless, anything has to be better than what the Astros have experienced in their time in the National League. With only one NL pennant and eight playoff berths since they came into the league in 1962, Houston definitely can't get any worse.

The following is a list of seven wacky things I wouldn't be surprised to see happen in Houston's first season in the American League.

Who knows...it could be the start of something great.

Now Batting...

The designated hitter, Bud Norris.

It likely won't happen, but with the Astros switching leagues, I think Houston manager Brad Mills (or whoever is in the position) will at some point accidentally put the designated hitter for the night in the pitcher's spot and the pitcher in the designated hitter's spot.

While I'm sure there will be other coaches checking the lineup card to ensure this doesn't happen, how great would it be if it did?

And, you can't say that it's never happened.

On May 17, 2009, Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon mistakenly put Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist in the lineup starting at third base. Longoria was supposed to be the DH for the game, but Maddon made the mistake.

So, instead of having a DH for the game, the Rays were forced to used starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine in the No. 3 spot in the order. The snafu actually worked, as Sonnanstine hit a run-scoring double in the fourth inning as the Rays won the game, 7-5.

Will Be the Quad-A Affliliate for the Yankees

Lately, it's seemed like the Astros have been the Quad-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, trading Hunter Pence to the NL East team last year and Roy Oswalt the year before.

With the Astros moving to the American League, I believe the Astros will find a new trade partner to boost other teams.

My prediction is that the team the Astros will trade with will be the New York Yankees.

With the Yankees wanting to win the World Series every year no matter the cost, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Astros develop players like Brett Wallace, Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton and Delino DeShields, only to ship them off to the Yankees, just like they did with Oswalt and Pence.

Add in there that the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels or Detroit Tigers will likely get one piece of the pie, just like the Atlanta Braves did with Michael Bourne. I'm predicting that player could be Tanner Bushue.

Who's on First?

And second, third, shortstop, catcher and the entire outfield.

Many Astros fans will look at their 2013 Opening Day lineup wondering who their position players are.

Carlos Lee will be gone to free agency, and Astros fans won't have a clue who anyone in their starting lineup is.

It will be a sad day when Jed Lowrie and Brett Wallace are your three and four hitters.

But no worries, Astros fans. It won't last for long.

Refer to the previous slide as to the reasons why.

Will Beat the Rangers in the Season Series

Every good team in Major League Baseball has a sub-par team that they can never solve.

That team for the Texas Rangers will be the Astros.

Depending on what the breakdown of the number of games is that the teams will play each other, the Astros will somehow find a way to win more against the Rangers than lose.

Call me crazy, but every good team has a sub-par team that they have trouble solving.

The Braves and the Phillies have the Washington Nationals, and the Red Sox have the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.

Only One Pitcher Will Have More Than 11 Wins

This isn't really a wacky prediction considering the 2011 season saw no pitcher get more than 11 wins.

Honestly, I think it will still be a few years before the Astros have more than one player get over 11 wins.

The cupboard is bare both in the big leagues and in the minor leagues.

General manager Ed Wade really set up the organization for failure in the future.

Will Set the All-Time Loss Record

Futility will be commonplace for the Astros in 2013, even with beating the Rangers in the season series.

The Astros will lose more than 119 games, setting an American League record that the 2003 Tigers set. Maybe they'll even set the all-time mark futility and lose another game, beating the 1962 New York Mets, who lost 120 games.

Again, revert to the last slide.

Former general manager Ed Wade really left the cupboard bare, and not even two top prospects can change that.

At Least Five Centerfielders Will Fall on the Hill

I'm predicting that at least five centerfielders, one being the current Astros centerfielder, will fall on Tal's Hill.

American Leaguers haven't had the chance to get used to Minute Maid Park, and it will show when a ball is hit to deep center.

My money is on Peter Bourjos and Coco Crisp being two of those guys...well, as long as they're still in the American League.