Houston Astros Bold Predictions For The 2021 Season
With the season just around the corner, I decided to make some bold predictions for the 2021 season. Here they are!
Jose Urquidy will receive Cy Young votes.
This is probably the boldest of my five takes, yet it’s the one that I believe in the most. Jose Urquidy has been a solid pitcher throughout his brief two years with the Astros. He has a career ERA of 3.44 and a career WHIP of 1.06. Now, what makes me believe he will receive Cy Young votes? His elite changeup, his control, and his great spin rates. His velocity isn’t the best, but it’s his movement that makes him great. In 2019 batters hit .160 against his changeup and in 2020 batters hit .176 against it. It is by far his most effective pitch. He drastically improved on his fastball in 2020 as well, as batters hit .216 against it compared to .270 in 2019. Urquidy has improved every year and based on what I’ve seen this Spring, Urquidy is poised for a great year in 2021.
Carlos Correa wins a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove award.
The ladder half of this prediction isn’t bold. Correa arguably should’ve won it last year and was robbed. He’s consistently an elite fielder and ranks in the 85th percentile in Outs Above Average. The first part of the statement is what I want to dive into. Correa had a down regular season last year, as he slashed .264/.326/.383. Then, he fixed his swing and batted .419 in the postseason with an OPS of 1.402. Correa claimed that he fixed something in his swing and that he feels “sexy” at the plate. That’s the confidence you love to hear. He has continued that into Spring Training this year and I firmly believe he will tear this season up, especially considering that it is a contract year for him.
Yordan Alvarez breaks the Astros single season HR record.
Jeff Bagwell currently holds the single season record at 47, but I can easily see Alvarez breaking that record this year. Alvarez hit 27 HR’s in 87 games in 2019. Just think what he can do in a full season and with a new set of knees! Alvarez is only 23 years old and is already one of the best batters in the league. His advanced numbers are ungodly and he hasn’t even hit his prime yet. Expect to be seeing the “Air Yordan” tweet from the Astros quite a bit this season.
Myles Straw steals 40 bases.
There is no doubt in my mind that Straw can accomplish this feat, the only thing that could stop him, is getting on base. Straw has struggled at the plate throughout his career, but it looks like he completely changed his approach this spring. His numbers, and play, remind me of Michael Bourn. Bourn used his elite speed to get on base and steal bags, and I can see Straw doing the same thing. If he can carry over his .341 OBP from ST, he will be just fine. Remember, the Astros are counting on Straw to account for Reddick’s offensive production, not Springer’s.
The Houston Astros will win the 2021 World Series.
Yes, you’re probably reading this and thinking to yourself “Wow, what a bold prediction” or “Wow, an Astros site predicts the Astros to win it all, what a shock!” Let me tell you why the Astros will win it all. This team has the tools to win it all. They showed us that last year and this year, they’ll get the job done. The lineup is deep, the bullpen is experienced, and the rotation has depth. Yes, the starting pitching rotation has depth. Once Jake Odorizzi makes his debut and Framber Valdez returns from his broken finger, the pitching rotation will be one of the deepest in the MLB. Cristian Javier would more than likely move to the bullpen as a long reliever, adding more depth to this pitching staff. The team has a chip on their shoulder, they have the talent, they have the coaching, and I believe that they can put it all together and bring home another World Series championship.
Let us know your thoughts and your predictions!
**Photo Credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images**
