The Yankees, Padres and Dodgers want the Astros title

season of The big leagues starts this Thursday with the uncertainty of knowing what he can do Houston Astros to confirm his title of champion of the past World SeriesHe against the aspirations of other powerful rivals.

New York Mets, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, They also presented their credentials as strong title contenders.

The stars will try to become the first team to repeat the title since the Yankees reigned from 1988-2000.

It is no less a fact than the ninth Houston He played in the last six American League Championship Series and four times in the World Series, which he won in 2017 and 2022.

From the beginning, coach Dusty Baker will not be able to count on three of his characters due to injuries: Venezuelan J.Osé Altuve, Michael Brantley and Lance McCullers Jr.

Cuban Yordan Álvarez, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, Most Valuable Player of the last World Series, Jeremy Peña; as well as a new signing from free agency, Cuban first baseman José Abreu.

As for the pitching staff, the Dominican Framber Valdez must get space after the departure of Justin Velander, and be a guide for his compatriot Cristian Javier, the Venezuelan Luis García and the Mexican José Urquidy.

ALL OR NOTHING

The mets and Parents they bet all their chips on 2023.

With an investment of $304.7 million, the most expensive in baseball, the team from New York hopes to win the title that has eluded them since 1986.

With Justin Verlander as the main reinforcement, meters He hopes to consolidate a team with Max Scherzer, Kodai Seng and Carlos Carrasco in the pitching job, despite the injury absence of star closer Edwin Díaz.

As for his offense, the Puerto Rican continues to lead the line Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. They are joined by Starling Marte, Jeff McNeil, Mark Canha and Daniel Vogelbach.

The Padres promised $200 million to Aruba shortstop Xander Bogaerts and renewed the contracts of Dominican Manny Machado and Yu Darvish for millions of dollars.

The San Diego team also bases its strength on the work of Juan Soto and the closer Josh Haderas well as Fernando Tatis Jr., who returned.

ALWAYS IN FIGHT

Yankees managed to keep his star and Most Valuable Player, Aaron Judgeand he included the Cuban leftist Carlos Rodón.

The tricksters they couldn’t keep it Trea Turner, but they trust Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, as well as pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urías.

Champions in National League, Philliesincorporated Trea Turner and Dominican Gregory Soto.

Champions of the 2021 season, Atlanta Bravesand, he returned Ronaldo Acuña Jr. and signed third baseman Austin Riley.

The sailors, which made the postseason last season, signed Dominican Teoscar Hérnandez and hopes to have a starting pitcher Louis Castillo.

The Texas Rangers They added Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Martin Pérez and Jon Gray to their roster.