MLB: Previewing the Astros campaign

The Houston Astros have been in the news all offseason as the cheating scandal was exposed in which they were using different techniques to steal signs throughout the last three years. In the last few seasons, the Astros have reached the World Series twice and defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 to win the title. Now with speculation that they only won that championship because of cheating, a lot of opposing players are speaking out against them.

Houston is the clear villain heading into the 2020 campaign and from how things are going in Spring Training, it seems like teams might continue targeting them throughout the season. So with all of that said, how should we expect the Astros to perform this year? They still have a lot of talent with guys like José Altuve, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Justin Verlander, and others but it's going to be difficult to win in such a negative environment.

The Astros begin the season versus the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, March 26. Houston's first road appearance will take place on Monday, March 30 against the Oakland Athletics and I expect them to get heavily booed, as they will in most road games. At least one batter will get hit by a pitch but the MLB has already said they won't be tolerating a lot of that. I expect Houston to win 90+ games but it's certainly going to be a trying season for everyone involved.

Photo Credit: For The Win.