HOUSTON -- It was this time a year ago that Astros owner Jim Crane raised a few eyebrows by making the bold proclamation his team would make the postseason in 2015. Crane didn't beat his chest about his prediction when speaking to the media Friday at Minute Maid Park, but said he's pleased with the direction of the club and looks forward to big things in 2016.
The Astros -- who were baseball's biggest surprise team last year, when they won the American League Wild Card before losing in five games to the Royals in the AL Division Series -- are poised to contend again and are one of the favorites to win the AL West.