DIVISIONAL OUTLOOK: AL West—Astros rotation: caution

Houston Astros

In spite of some promising 2012 performances from 28-year-olds Bud Norris (RHP, HOU)8.8 Dom, 4.10 xERA over 168 IP and Lucas Harrell (RHP, HOU)—57% GB%, 3.99 xERA over 194 IP—the Astros rotation isn't drawing much attention, primarily due to HOU's AL move and the potential for a 100-loss season. Norris and Harrell will enter April at the top of the rotation, and as the most viable rosterees of the group. 

Free-agent signee Erik Bedard (LHP, HOU) is expected to make the roster, partly due to a solid spring to date that includes 14 K and zero earned runs allowed over 9 IP. But while the 34-year-old Bedard can still generate the Ks, a Ctl spike fueled an ineffective 5.19 ERA in 2012, and he's always a DL stay waiting to...

Almost!

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