Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are poised to remain a formidable force in the 2026 MLB season, but with some key changes to their roster, it's hard to predict if they'll continue their recent dominance. The good news is that they'll still have the reliable duo of Jeremy Peña and Jose Altuve leading the way. Peña, in particular, has emerged as a true superstar, hitting over .300 with 17 homers last season, while Altuve remains a consistent power threat. However, the loss of Carlos Correa to free agency leaves a notable hole in the lineup that will need to be filled.

One bright spot for the Astros is the continued development of their pitching staff, anchored by the electric arm of Hunter Brown. The young right-hander had a breakout 2025 campaign, posting a 2.43 ERA, and will be looking to build on that success. Veteran reliever Josh Hader also gives the Astros a reliable option to close out games. However, the departure of Gerrit Cole has left a void in the rotation, and the Astros will need to find a way to replace his production.

With a projected win total of 84 and a 40.7% chance of making the playoffs, the Astros find themselves in the "playoff hopeful" category. While they may not be the juggernaut they've been in recent years, their core talent and ability to develop homegrown players should keep them competitive and in the hunt for a postseason berth.