Threat Level: 1
Since the scale is from 1-10, I am obligated to use 1 instead of 0. This team has only a handful of quality major league talent. Pena? Bedard? Norris? Humber? (He did pitch a perfect game last year though!) Add it all up and it is not much to look forward to in 2013 for Astro fans. But, Jose Veras is starting the season as their closer, who Yankee fans might remember from his two stints in pinstripes. He may not have a whole lot of opportunities, but it would be nice to see a former Yankee do well.
Projected Lineup
1. Jose Altuve 2B
2. Brett Wallace 1B
3. Carlos Pena DH
4. Chris Carter LF
5. Fernando Martinez RF
6. Justin Maxwell CF
7. Jason Castro C
8. Ronny Cedeno SS
9. Matt Dominguez
Projected Starting Rotation
1.Bud Norris RHP
2. Lucas Harrell RHP
3. Phil Humber RHP
4. Brad Peacock RHP
5. Erik Bedard LHP
Closer
Jose Veras RHP
Yankee Killer: Phil Humber
On a team coming from the National League filled with youngsters and minor leaguers, this team barely has players that have even played the Yankees, let alone play well against them. Humber fills this category the best, as he is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA against the Bombers.
Astro Killer: Hiroki Kuroda
Again, the Astros played in the National League and the Yankees play in the American League, so not many players on the Yankees have NL experience. However, Kuroda does, as he played 4 seasons on the Dodgers. In 7 career starts against the Astros, he is 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. In 2 starts in Houston, he has only allowed 1 total run. Since the Astros do not have a lot of offensive talent, I would expect Kuroda to put up similar numbers against them like in the past.
When They Play The Yankees:
IN NY: 4/29-5/1.
IN HOU: 9/27-9/29 (final series of the season).
