At the beginning, the Houston Astros remain one of the most popular choices on the future market for 2024 World Series champions. Houston had an uneventful baseball betting odds offseason. Hence, gamblers expect them to return for more in 2024. Houston boasts two World Series championships and four pennants since 2017 and eight playoff appearances in the last nine years. Certainly, the Houston Astros are baseball’s most successful franchise. Gamblers remain significant buyers on the future market when it comes to the prospects of the Astros.
2024 Houston Astros
| Houston Astros World Series Championship | Odds |
|---|---|
| 2024 Houston Astros World Series Championship Odds | +1000 |
2024 Houston Astros Manager
Namely, Joe Espada replaces the retired Dusty Baker as manager. He was an Astros coach from 2018-2023.
2024 Houston Astros Key Players
Namely, 3B Alex Bregman is a two-time AL All-Star and a 2019 AL Silver Slugger. In 2023, Bregman produced 103 runs, 28 doubles, 25 home runs, and 98 RBI while hitting .262 with a .804 OPS.
RHP Justin Verlander is the number-one starter on the Houston MLB odds rotation. Verlander is a three-time AL Cy Young Award winner, the 2011 AL MVP, and a nine-time AL All-Star. Last year, Verlander was 13-8 with a 3.22 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. After starting the 2023 season with the Mets, Verlander came home to Houston to lead the push to the ALCS.
RHP Ryan Pressly is the Houston closer. Previously, he was a two-time AL All-Star. Last year, Pressly was 4-5 with a 3.58 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 31 saves in 37 opportunities.
2024 Astros Offseason Moves
Key offseason acquisitions: LHP Josh Hader and C Victor Caratini.
Key offseason departures: OF Michael Brantley, C Martín Maldonado, RHP Hector Neris, RHP Phil Maton, RHP Ryne Stanek, and RHP Kendall Graveman (injury)
It was an eerily quiet offseason for the Astros until they signed Josh Hader to the second-biggest contract ever for a reliever. Previously, Houston’s entire offseason consisted of an anonymous backup catcher and a utility player. At the same time, Houston was not expected to do much. Especially if they still believe in the ability of José Urquidy to help, there is no space in the rotation.
Of course, the lineup should be as terrifying as ever. The Astros could have squeezed an existing player out for an upgrade. But the returning players weren’t the problem last year. Houston is a postseason team that needs postseason help. And Hader is the perfect example of the genre.
Houston ranks 3rd for MLB payroll.
2024 Astros Recap
To summarize. in 2023, the Houston Astros had a record of 90-72 and finished 1st in the American League West Division. Offensively, Houston ranked 5th for runs scored, 5th for batting average, 6th for OPS, 7th for home runs, and 18th for stolen bases. While, defensively, Houston ranked 8th for earned run average, 14th for WHIP, 3rd for strikeouts, 5th for quality starts, 13th for fewest errors, and 6th for bullpen ERA. Houston was +87 on the moneyline and -322 on the run line.
Last season, Houston did well to barely end up in the black on the sports betting moneyline. Since they are consistently among the highest-priced teams on the MLB board. Houston will remain a highly expensive team to wager on, especially at home and against the worst teams. Taking a loss on the Astros will be costly. In turn, Houston will offer its best value on the road against quality teams.