The Houston Astros finished off their 106-win season with a World Series championship.
After defeating the Phillies 4-2 in the series, Houston won their second title in six years.
Now as we get ready for the MLB offseason, should the Astros be favorites to repeat next season?
Based on their roster and others around the league, the Astros should not be the favorites to repeat.
First off, it is very hard to repeat as champions in any sport, let alone baseball.
The defending champions have not reached the World Series since 2009 (Phillies). The now 13-season drought is the longest in the World Series Era (since 1903).
This 22-season streak without a repeat champion is also the longest repeat champion drought across MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL. pic.twitter.com/oOrM7dchhc
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 15, 2022
The last team to repeat was the New York Yankees in 2000.
Also, the Astros are not getting any younger.
Ace Justin Verlander will turn 40 years old next season, and expecting another elite season would be risky.
Some key players are also expected to hit free agency, Michael Brantley, Yuli Gurriel, Rafael Montero, and Christian Vazquez.
Other than Brantley, the other three had a significant impact on the Astros’ World Series run.
Who Should Be Favorites?
The favorites should be the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers were the favorites before this season but failed to make it out of the divisional round.
In 2023, LA should be much better.
Not only do they bring back a loaded roster, but they are always looking to improve.
So with free agents like Trea Turner and Clayton Kershaw possibly leaving, the Dodgers will find adequate replacements.
Even without those players, the Dodgers still have Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Julio Urias among others.
Despite their lack of playoff success, this Dodgers team was historically great in 2022.
They won a franchise-record 111 games and were only five wins off of tying the Mariners’ record of 116.
So while the Astros are defending champions, they should not be favorites heading into 2023.
