Astros

mlb al west houston astros

MLB American League West Houston Astros 2022

Despite the scandal and the loss of premier free agents (George Springer, Gerrit Cole), the Astros continue to be perennial powerhouses in the American League.

In 2021, the Astros finished the regular season 95-67, five games ahead of the second-place Seattle Mariners in the AL West.

Looking to the 2022 season, they are once again expected to be dominant. In fact, they have the second-best odds in all of baseball to win the World Series.

The Astros have the potential to lose another marquee free agent in Carlos Correa this offseason, but even if he leaves, the Astros’ lineup is still loaded with the likes of Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Yuli Gurriel, Michael Brantley, and others.

On the mound, the Astros are bringing back the eventual Hall of Famer Justin Verlander to lead a rotation that also includes Lance McCullers Jr., Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia, and José Urquidy.

They certainly aren’t going to win any popularity contests around the league, but one thing is undeniable, the Astros have consistently been one of the strongest franchises over the last several years. Don’t expect that to change in 2022.

MLB American League West Houston Astros History

As one of two expansion teams in the spring of 1962, a brand new team based in Houston was established. Initially called the Houston Colt .45s, the eventual Astros franchise was born.

When divisions were formed in 1969, the Astros played in the National League West. In 1994, when the Central divisions were added in each league, the Astros were moved there.

In November of 2011, the Astros would move once again. This time, though, they not only changed divisions but leagues as well. In an effort to balance the American and National League, the Astros moved to the American League West as part of an agreement for current owner Jim Crane to buy the franchise.

Since their first season in 1962, the Houston Astros have a record just under .500. They are a combined 4,725 – 4,764, good for a .498 winning percentage.

After spending a few seasons at Colt Stadium, the Astros moved into the Astrodome in 1965. The first sports team to ever play inside a dome, the Astrodome was considered by some as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”

Despite the nostalgia and popularity of the Astrodome, the Astros moved into their current home, Minute Maid Park, in 2000.