HOUSTON -- An offseason full of celebrations and awards gave way to a businesslike spring camp, and now the Astros are ready to defend their World Series championship.
The Astros, returning nearly all of their core players from their 2017 title team, are poised to repeat with arguably the deepest starting pitching rotation and the deepest offense in the Major Leagues. The Astros begin the defense of their crown on Thursday against the Rangers in Arlington, sending Justin Verlander to the mound.
Reigning American League MVP Award winner Jose Altuve, World Series MVP George Springer, superstar shortstop Carlos Correa and the rest of the boys will have to fight off the Yankees, Red Sox and Indians in the AL, but the Astros have made it clear: The championship goes through H-town.