Houston Astros: Fantasy Baseball Power House
May 2, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a home run during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Astros are one of the most surprising team in baseball thus far in 2015. The Astros are an astounding 18-7, and they are currently riding an 11-game win streak. The Astros are also atop the American League West, where most people had them pegged to finish in the bottom half of the division, and the Astros are turning into a fantasy power house.
The Astros pitching staff has been incredible, as their staff ranks fourth in all of baseball. The Astros are highlighted by many pitchers including Collin McHugh, Dallas Keuchel, and Luke Gregerson. The Astros team earned run average (ERA) is just a hair over 3, at 3.08.
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McHugh leads the Astros in wins and strikeouts, with 4 and 26 respectively. McHugh has been one of the best strikeout pitchers so far in the American League.
However, McHugh is not the best pitcher that the Astros have. Dallas Keuchel is by far the best pitcher on the Astros as he is 3-0 in 5 appearances with an ERA of a measly .73. Keuchel also isn’t far behind McHugh in strikeouts with 22 on the season.
The Astros closer has been able to hold everything together, as Gregerson has 6 saves on the season.
The Astros pitching couldn’t have as much success as they’ve had if they didn’t have the 5th best hitting team behind them. The Astros are headlined by second baseman Jose Altuve, third baseman Luis Valbuena, and center fielder Jake Marisnick.
Altuve has been an absolute monster so far this season. He is batting an insane .361 with a team-high 39 hits and a team-high 19-RBI. Altuve needs to be on your fantasy team if he isn’t already, and is also a great daily fantasy option.
Valbuena is the power man for the Astros, as he leads the team with 6 home runs and has 10-RBI. Valbuena only has a .218 batting average on the season, but his power is what makes him extremely valuable in the fantasy world.
Marisnick is only entering his second full season in the majors, and he is batting a team-high .381. Marisnick is starting to get extremely hot. He has hit .458 in the last seven days with 2 home runs and six RBI. The deadly duo of Marisnick and Altuve is what is currently carrying the Astros on their 11-game winning streak.
If you don’t have any of these players on your roster, I would look to see if someone is willing to give them up, and if they are, make a deal.