Predicting If Each MLB Playoff Hopeful Will Overachieve or Underachieve in 2017 – Bleacher Report

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout. Tim Warner/Getty Images

Houston Astros(FanGraphs' projected record: 90-72)

The Astrosbolstered their offense this winter, adding catcher Brian McCann, outfielder Josh Reddick and outfielder/designated hitter Carlos Beltran to a core that includes All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve and burgeoning superstar shortstop Carlos Correa.

They did little to improve their rotation, which posted a pedestrian 4.37 ERA, and are instead relying on a bounce back from 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel.

Keuchel's ERA rose from 2.48 in 2015 to 4.55 in 2016 as he battled shoulder inflammation.

The good news? He's surrendered just two runs in 12 spring innings while holding opposing hitters to a .220 average.

An ace-level Keuchel married to a deep, potent offense should be enough to send the 'Stros past the 90-win plateau and to their first division title since 2001.

Verdict: Overachieve

Los Angeles Angels(FanGraphs' projected record: 83-79)

The Angels made some decent if unspectacular ancillary additions around AL MVP Mike Trout, picking up outfielders Cameron Maybin and Ben Revere, infielders Danny Espinosa and Luis Valbuena and right-hander Jesse Chavez.

They're also banking on a return to form from Garrett Richards, who threw 34.2 innings last year while dealing with an elbow issue but has appeared healthy and flashed high-90s velocity this spring.

The Halos will likely be better than last season, when they finished 74-88 and 21 games out. With questions in the back of the rotation and bullpen, however, a return to .500 seems like a high-water mark, even with Trout doing Trout things.

Verdict: Underachieve

Seattle Mariners(FanGraphs' projected record: 83-79)

The Seattle Mariners made a flurry of trades this winter,adding shortstop Jean Segura, infielder Danny Valencia and outfielders Jarrod Dyson and Mitch Haniger, among others.They retain a robust middle of the order, featuring Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager.

That said, their season hinges on the right arm of Felix Hernandez.

King Felix tumbled from his throne in 2016, posting his highest ERA (3.82) and fewest innings pitched (153.1) since 2007. The six-time All-Star, who turns 31 in April, has looked good in the Cactus League, allowing three earned runs and one walk with 10 strikeouts in 11 frames.

That and a balanced lineup should keep the M's in the playoff mix and allow them to match or exceed last season's 86-76 finish.

Verdict: Overachieve

Texas Rangers(FanGraphs' projected record: 83-79)

The two-time division champion Texas Rangers have a sterling 1-2 rotation combo in Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish, who is looking to stay healthy over a full 162-game grind.

They lost veterans Mitch Moreland and Carlos Beltran but added old friend Mike Napoli. An offense that scoredthe seventh-most runs in baseball last season should again produce.

The back of the rotation is unsettled, and Texas didn't do as much as Houston, Los Angeles or Seattle to remake its roster.

Still, they're coming off a 95-win season and deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Verdict: Overachieve

Oakland A's(FanGraphs' projected record: 78-84)

The Oakland A's and Moneyball guru Billy Beane have bucked expectations before, so be careful with scoffing at their status as postseason hopefuls.

Still, in a deep division, the A's will need things to break right to improve dramatically on 2016's 69-93, last-place showing.

Put the lat injury that has cost ace Sonny Gray most of the spring in the "things not breaking right" column, especially after he wobbled through an injury-depleted 2016.

Oakland could surprise, but the safe money is on Beane and the Athletics unloading at the trade deadline.

Verdict: Underachieve

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Predicting If Each MLB Playoff Hopeful Will Overachieve or Underachieve in 2017 - Bleacher Report