,

Opening Day: The Swami Predicts Astros 2024

We’ve dissected this Astros 2024 team down to the point where it is more mush than solid fiber.  Today, I will steal the turban from the Sports Swami himself, Chris Berman, and make some predictions that I hope everyone will forget about by the end of the season.

Astro All Stars – The Astros will have a ton of folks to consider for the All Star team, especially with the position players. The ones who will make it – Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Alex Begman, Kyle Tucker, Yainer Diaz, Cristian Javier, and Josh Hader

Awards

Rookie of the Year – For the first time in a while – the Astros will have no one with votes for the ROY award.

Cy Young – Cristian Javier will be third in the voting after a strong season. Framber Valdez will overcome a rocky start of the year and place 7th in a tie with Justin Verlander who will do well after sitting out the first 6 weeks of the season.

MVP – Yordan Alvarez will win the MVP with a transcendent season. Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman will pick up some votes along the way.

Manager of the Year – The manager of the favored team in the AL never gets recognized, but Joe Espada will be the MOY in the Astro fans’ hearts.

Stats

BA – Alvarez will lead the team with a .320 BA. Jose Altuve will be second with .311.

OBP – Alex Bregman will lead the team with a .415 OBP, just nudging out Yordan with a .412.

OPS – Yordan again – 1.067 OPS with Tucker a distant second at 0.922.

Runs scored – Altuve leads the team with 112 runs scored with both Yordan (105) and Tucker (102) over the century mark.

Home Runs – Yordan leads the team with 47 HRs and Kyle Tucker is next with 33.

RBIs – Yordan batting in the second spot does not quite have the most RBIs. Tucker leads with 110 and Bregman and Yordan tie for second at 105.

Steals – Tucker has his 30/30 season – stealing 34 with Altuve second at 27.

Wins – Cristian Javier has 18 wins with Framber Valdez slipping into second at 15.

ERA (starters) – Javier leads again with a 2.83 ERA and JP France comes in second at 3.45

WHIP – Verlander has a good season with a 0.953 WHIP. Javier is second at 0.977

Innings – Framber is the mule again at 197 innings. Javier is right there with 192 innings on the season.

Ks – Hunter Brown puts up 185 Ks, and Valdez and Javier are close by at 180.

Saves – Josh Hader saves 35 as the main closer, and Ryan Pressly picks up 7 as the second option.

ERA (Relievers) – Hader leads the bullpen with a 1.77 ERA. Bryan Abreu is up from 2023 with a 2.27 ERA.

Team hitting – The offense returns to some of their glory days by sweeping the slash categories – leading the AL with a .265 BA/ .340 OBP/ .795 OPS slash.

Starting Pitching – The starters are better than 2023, but still lagging the leaders. They are fifth in ERA (4.00), third in IPs (880 innings), and sixth in WHIP (1.25).

Relief Pitching – The bullpen has mixed results running in the middle of the pack in most categories. They move up to second in saves (48), but are sixth in ERA (3.70) and in WHIP (1.25).

Results

This is what you want to see, of course….

AL West

Astros – 95-67

Rangers – 91-71

Mariners – 91-71

Angels – 80-82

A’s – 59-103

Playoffs

  • Astros beat the Yankees (of course) in the ALDS – 3-1 – Yankees accuse Jose Altuve of using ESP (not ESPN) to read the pitcher’s minds on pitches.
  • Astros take out the team that is trying to imitate them in the Baltimore Orioles – 4-2 in the ALCS
  • Astros beat the Dodgers 4-3 in a repeat of the 2017 World Series. The turning point in the series is when the Astros hire Sir Ringo Starr to bang on a set of trash cans set up behind the Crawford Boxes and drive the LA Blues bonkers.

These are my predictions for the season – what are yours?

←
→

37 responses to “Opening Day: The Swami Predicts Astros 2024”

  2. Got to pay your dues if you want to beat the “blue’s (Dodgers) and you know it don’t come easy.

    We all can shout but we’ll leap about and you know it don’t come easy (win we win)

    Like

    Reply

  3. I would rather hire Todd Rundgren to Bang the Drum All Day. Fun fact: his son Rex Rundgren was a minor league infielder in the Marlins system.

    Like

    Reply

    • A couple Todd Rundgren thoughts….

      • One of the very best episodes of Daryl’s House (Daryl Hall’s TV show with special guests) was the one in 2011 with Todd Rundgren. Unlike most of his shows – this one was not filmed at Hall’s farm in upstate New York but at Rundgren’s beautiful plantation in Hawaii. Lots of great music including “Bang the Drum All Day”, “Saw the Light” and a beautiful version of the Delfonics “Didn’t I Blow Your Mind This Time”. And a pig roast….
      • Last August we went to see Rundgren open for Hall at the Sugar Land Smart Financial Centre. Todd was great, at 75 he could still play a great guitar and his voice while not as good as when he was 25-30 was still strong. The only hiccup was when he was walking along the stage towards the wings and tripped over unlit/unmarked speakers and fell face first. He got up like a trouper and though obviously hacked off – kept rolling. On the other hand Hall straight out could not sing anymore and at times he seemed like he was either a bit drunk or suffering a bit of dementia as he could not figure out his microphone when sitting at his piano.

      Like

      Reply

  4. 1oldpro, if you happen to see this note, MLB.com shows the Astros and Yankees as the free game of the day. Hope it is accessible to you. 

    Like

    Reply

  6. I’m not sure I would have pinch hit for Meyers with Singleton – but if I were going to pinch hit I think I would choose Dubon over Singleton -I don’t care what hand the pitcher uses.

    I would also accept having Loperfido who can hit on my bench in place of Singleton who can’t.

    Like

    Reply

    • This one will be in the top 5 stinkers of the year. Dan, you’ve already got a correct prediction, as indeed, Framber is off to a Rocky start. 

      Like

      Reply

    • I agree on Meyers. If he’s going to start, leave him alone, especially after hitting a dinger early. But I get what Espada is doing. He wants to use the bench more and will. 

      Astros bats need to produce a laugher tomorrow. With Pressly and Hader both pitching today, they won’t both pitch tomorrow. That would put them both out of game three. 10 runs for our guys tomorrow?

       

      Like

      Reply

  7. Very disappointing game. Started off very positive and then the pitching did us in. If I walked as much as the Yankees did I’d loss a pound or two every week. Framber appeared to try to be too fine and then he just couldn’t get the ball over the plate. Martinez comes in and walks in a run on 4 pitches. Montero gives up a long ball and Pressley gives up the winning run. After the 1st inning no such thing as a key hit. YIE though.

    Like

    Reply

  9. Singleton? How many times does he have to screw up everything he is allowed to touch for the FO to realize what a disaster having him on the roster is?

    All that confidence that Jake had built back up – gone in an instant. 

    If our pitchers cannot start throwing strikes, this looks to be a sweet revenge series for the Yanks and the beginning of a cakewalk to the division title for the Rangers.

    Like

    Reply

    • spot on Mr Bill! I did not understand it either. Why singleton is on the team befuddles me to the nth degree. A lesson for Espada to learn. Of course that wasn’t the “big” reason the Astros lost. To quote Aerosmith, “Walk this way”.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  11. Thoughts after the first game

    Positives

    • Yainer sprayed three line drives for three hits and drove in a run
    • Everybody got on base with Yordan and Pena having 2 hits apiece
    • Chas whacked a two out line drive for 2 runs
    • Meyers really cranked his home run
    • Framber threw 4 innings of shutout ball (if only it had ended there)
    • Tayler Scott had a nice debut out of the bullpen with a K of Judge to end the inning
    • Josh Hader struck out all three he faced

    Negatives

    • The offense was shut down after a good start of 4 runs the first two innings
    • Framber struggled throughout with control, but it came home to roost in the 5th. – The Yanks did a good job of laying off pitches.
    • Both Presley and Montero continued their struggles from Spring Training giving up the tying and winning runs.
    • The aggressive running that the manager and general manager had been pushing bit them in the butt in the ninth inning. Soto picked up the ball in fairly shallow right field, Dubon did not cut sharply around third, but made a good wide slide. After watching all the replays I don’t think that the catcher has touched him yet, but I will admit the umpire had a much better view than any of the video views of home plate.
    • It was another frustrating home loss that featured that problem way too often in 2024.

    Like

    Reply

    • I’ve got 6.38 seconds from the time the ball hit Tucker’s bat to the time it was in Trevino’s glove. I hope I’m not giving Espada too much credit in saying they made the decision to send a runner on Soto in that situation before the game started, but we don’t have anyone one the roster that beats that without a bad throw. 

      Chas could have done a better job on that sac fly that gave the Yankees that lead. I’m not sure he has the arm strength to really get the guy at the plate on it regardless. 

      The Montero HR was not surprising. 

      I agree with your suggestion Dubon should have hit for Meyers instead of Singleton since he was going to be into CF anyhow. All you needed was a single.

      Like

      Reply

      • If Altuve had moved Dubon up it sure would have helped, but can’t get on his back too bad – he was trying to go the other way with it

        Like

  12. The Astros won 10 openers in a row. Pressly has taken the loss in the last two. Things even out a bit along the way. Did anyone know that we share that record with the Boston Beaneaters of 1887 to 1896? I won’t talk about trading Framber again yet, but the pen is going to have a bumpy ride for awhile. I really think we’re going to hit though and our bench will only get stronger as the season progresses. 

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. MLB.com is a rat organization. I’ve always paid for a full season of MLB, without exception. Suddenly, the Astro came tonight is provided only to Apple TV subscribers. This is apparently a Friday night thing for the entire season. Apple has the rights to a doubleheader each Friday. MLB sells those rights to Apple. Screw the long term loyal MLB buyer.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Just my opinion, but every time we see a nonsense contract like Ohtani or Tatis, Jr., as a fan we need to be thinking about how it’s going to screw us over. Here’s a good example. Apple+ doubleheaders on Fridays will be followed shortly by Sunday night’s on Amazon. Of course, ESPN may not re-acquire their broadcasting rights so that might be closer than we think.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. Well, the pen had a difficult night again. Looking for a bright spot, we should have our “big three” relievers available for game three. And Javier was excellent. No reason why we can’t come back and get a split. Some of the folks across the way are already calling for a mutiny. 

    Like

    Reply

  15. Its only two games but the message is clear. Letting Neris, Stanek and Maton go so you can give Hader 19M doesn’t matter if you can’t get to Hader. Its the problem we all here predicted. Seth Martinez, Rafeal Montero, Tay Scott and Parker Mushinski are out there deciding games, and we are getting predictable results.

    Like

    Reply

    • Steven, I’m not sure those three guys were let go in order to sign Hader. I don’t think Dana Brown had much to do with the deal for our new closer. At the same time, if Brown thought he could patch together replacements for the three, with little or no drop off, well that was arrogant. And who knows, I suppose it’s possible Crane and associates saw what was happening and decided a need to get involved. For now, I’m going to hope we get Verlander and Urquidy back in a reasonable amount of time. That will hopefully provide us with two arms for the pen we don’t have right now. And I’m pretty sure our bats will wake up. We’ve had guys on base. We’ll score runs.

      Like

      Reply

      • I am sure they were let go because Crane would only agree to go over the cap “for the right guy.” Hader was that guy.

        The reality seems to be that Neris and Maton are more important. We could very well be 2-0 if those guys are on the roster right now.

        I’ve been concerned for a while that Crane could have 90s think and star chase – and this team had spent the better part of the last decade proving a bunch of good players is better than a few great players – particularly in the pitching staff. The idea that those 300-350 innings that are going to be provided by middle relievers can be just any old dudes is how baseball was in the 90s when starters went deep. Todays game is different and middle relievers are not there just because a starter either put it out reach or occasionally got hurt. No those middle relievers are out there deciding games now. Neris may have an argument- or at least tied with Abreu – as being the singular most important guys in the pitching staff in 2023. We don’t get back in and win the division without them.

        If people have Singleton syndrome at this point Brandon Belt can probably be had for 2M. He has not received a single offer. He may not like the idea of batting 4 times a week but like I said – no one has even offered.

        Abreu hasn’t only played poorly – he has looked it too. He is again swinging way late. Rodon made him look silly with runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. We just needed positive contact – and he couldn’t catch up to it. Having someone like Belt in that spot could have changed the game. Maybe not though as Belt is a lefty.

        Rodon also struck out McCormick behind him – but if Chas got to bat in that spot with one out it changes his approach and the pitches he would look for. One thing was for sure – Rodon knew to ramp up on Abreu and then go off speed on Chas. Their pitchers so far have been well prepared – more so than our hitters for their pitching.

        Like

      • Steven, your premise is something we’ve discussed; from Abreu to Montero to Hader. It’s pretty clear the GM job in Houston is likely not the most gratifying. That word is out. 

        I noted the two scoreless innings from Neris and Maton, and the homer given up by Stanek. Hard to say what impact those performances might have had on the first two Astro losses though.

        Over and over I hoped aloud that we’d get Phil back at least. Stanek was not as big a worry to me. I love Hector. We’ll see what he does for the Cubs. I’m actually hoping Blanco fills one of the pen roles once the rotation is settled.

        I don’t think you’re going to get Brandon Belt either, but we might be fortunate and see Loperfido show up within a couple of months. No doubt the pen is our big hole right now. We’ll see what happens.

        Like

    • I guess I feel the worst about the Shead injury. He got injured putting them ahead by 6 pts and the Coogs fell off immediately and end up losing by 3. Their offense was stagnant after Shead left who in my opinion was the best point guard in the NCAA this year. They are done now and could have gone to the Final Four by beating the 11th seed NC St in the next game.

      Scheffler is down 4 strokes but certainly could make that up

      The Astros have 160 games to put the wheels back on.

      Like

      Reply

  19. That was ugly. Most of our guys are going to hit eventually though. We have no hot bats right now. Espada might need security though. Some of the boys across the way are ready to jump out of windows. If I’m going to be critical, it was a waste using Hader tonight down 2. 

    Joey Lops hit another 2 run shot tonight in practice ball!

    Like

    Reply

  20. I call “MULLIGAN!”

    Somebody fire up the DeLorian – or at least the ‘Time Tunnel’!

    And has anyone seen Alice? Methinks the Astros have fallen through her looking glass!

    Like

    Reply

  21. Well last night was yet another pen mess but not from where we expected. You would think if you enter the 7th after Martinez and Mushinski give you 2 scoreless frames and you have a 2 run lead with your big 3 ready to have one of those rare nights where all 3 are available- it’s a win. But it’s not.

    This offense has to be able to get more cushion at times. It’s actually getting to starters some but the Yanks BP has been fits. The season starts 0-3 at home. Let’s see if today is kinder to the hometown 9.

    Jose Abreu is 0-10. He has had 3 good swings – all 3 ended up in flyouts. He has had some really bad swings. He has had some flails. The hardest hit ball he has had so far was a line drive – probably well 100 on exit velocity- that went behind the first base dugout – right where I expect it to go.

    I got it he makes 20M. That gets you a long leash. But batting him 5th has been a rally killer. He should be hitting 7th. He should probably “get a breather” today.

    Just a note for me – when you are only carrying 2 catchers – starting one at DH is probably not your best strategy. We saw Yainer struggle at 1B some last year – but no worse than Abreu costing us a run last night. I love that Espada does not want to miss Yainer ABs – personally I think Yainer is so good as a hitter I would want him out from behind the plate permanently- but when you have days you are going catch Caratini put Yainer at 1B and DH Abreu – or better yet DH Alvarez and put Chas back out there – if Caratini catches one off the edge and goes out in the 2nd we lose the DH the rest of the game. Yainer can easily come in from 1st and not cost us the DH.

    Like

    Reply

  22. And what was Bryan Abreus fascination with him off speed stuff. Dude you got 98 in your pocket. Go get em. His delivery right now is out of whack. He isn’t going downhill enough – his landing is very inconsistent. Some pitches he was just lurching off to the side. He just did not look like he ever got comfortable.

    Like

    Reply

  23. I havde some real questions – not just cynicism.

    Question 1: Why do Astro pitchers have such a horrendous problem throwing strikes? Is it our pitching coach/strategy? Bad ‘framing’ by our catcher? Or just system-wide poor execution.

    Question 2: Why do Astro hitters swing at any piece of crap pitch the opposing pitchers toss up – esp. on the first pitch.

    Question 3: What are the Yanks doing to ‘hoo-doo’ Kyle Tucker – who has struck out 6 times now in 14 ABs.

    Like

    Reply

  24. I said I thought this series was the most important one of the season and it was bad.

    The team now spends the rest of the month trying to dig out of a hole against good teams.

    It may be that I am so spoiled that I can’t read the writing on the wall when it comes to this team of the decade fading into the history books.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to daveb7 Cancel reply