Houston Astros 2009 Predictions

I’m going to do something a little different and go through each part of the team and pick an MVP, breakout, possible let down, and make an over all bold prediction.  Then I’ll give you my NL Central picks.

Line Up

• Matsui
• Rodriguez
• Berkman
• Lee
• Tejada
• Pence
• Blum/Kepp
• Bourn

MVP: Lance Berkman of course.

Breakout: Hunter Pence with Michael Bourn a close second.

Let Down: Blum/Kepp platoon or Matsui if he misses too much time on the DL.

Bold Prediction: Hunter Pence hits 30 home runs this season and Michael Bourn has an OBP of at least .350.

Bullpen

• Valverde
• Brocail
• LaHawk
• Geary
• Sampson
• Byrdak
• Wright

MVP: Valverde with a nod to Chris Sampson

Breakout: Wesley Wright

Let down: Brocail or LaHawk. If either is hurt or gets in a rut it will be a big blog tot he pen.

Bold prediction: Geoff Geary is traded sometime this season and Alberto Arias takes his spot in the pen.

Starting Rotation

• Oswalt
• W. Rodriguez
• Hampton
• Moehler
• Ortiz

MVP: Roy Oswalt. 

Breakout: Wand-Rod. This is wandy’s year and if it isn’t I don’t think it will ever be Wandy’s year.

Let Down: Moehler.

Bold Prediction: Roy Oswalt wins at least 20 games and Hampton tosses 200 innings.

NL Central

1. Cubs
2. Astros
3. Cards
4. Reds
5. Brew Crew
6. Pirates

Really, 2-4 are tough to call.  I think that the 'Stros, 'Cards, and maybe the Reds are going to make the NL Central race an interesting one this season.

Also, as more and more time passes before the season, the Cubs don’t look nearly as good as everyone else says they do. I still think they are gonna win the division, but it won't be by nearly as wide of a margin as last season.

There ya have it. Will any of this actually happen? No clue.