3 HOUSTON ASTROS

O/U WINS: 87.5

KEY PLAYER: Jose

Altuve. The 2017 AL Most Valuable Player lost his mojo last year in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal’s disclosure. He hit far better in October, although he also endured a bout with the throwing yips that month. With four more years on his contract, the 30-year-old had best not be done. PLAYER WHO’LL NEED TO STEP UP: Myles Straw faces the unenviable task of replacing George Springer, the all-time Astro who left for the Blue Jays, in center field at Minute Maid Park. The 26-year-old Straw has displayed only flashes of everyday playing ability.

NAME YOU’LL GET TO KNOW: Jeremy Pena. The infield defensive wunderkind can step in if Altuve,

Carlos Correa or

Alex Bregman suffers an injury.

BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: Do they have enough arms? Young guys like Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez came through last year; Valdez already is down with a broken left finger. Veteran Jake Odorizzi, coming off a 2020 replete with freaky injuries, will try to rebuild his brand after a stint at the alternate site.

HOW IT’LL GO DOWN: Finally facing fans, albeit mostly in sparsely filled ballparks, how will the Astros cope with the wrath of opponents? Can beloved manager Dusty Baker continue to guide them to peace? It’s fair to wonder whether they’re due for a reckoning with both their pitching and their karma.

PROJECTED LINEUP 2B Jose Altuve LF Michael Brantley 3B Alex Bregman DH Yordan Alvarez SS Carlos Correa RF Kyle Tucker

1B Yuli Gurriel

CF Myles Straw C Martin Maldonado

ROTATION

RHP Zack Greinke RHP Cristian Javier RHP Lance McCullers Jr. RHP Jose Urquidy RHP Luis Garcia