RADIO
After posting a bloated 5.00-plus ERA in his first two seasons, no one could have guess what was later in store for Dallas Keuchel. 2014 showcased a completely different pitcher, a confidence that was then carried into 2015. The hard-throwing lefty’s numbers jumped tremendously, even from a productive 2014 where he won 12 games and posted a 2.93 ERA. Last season he struck out 216 batters after only punching out 146 the year prior. His 20 wins, 7.2 WAR, and 2.48 ERA were more than enough to earn him the American League Cy Young Award.
There is, however, debate over whether Keuchel can duplicate the success from his Cy Young campaign. It’s extremely difficult to produce back-to-back 20-win seasons, but I don’t see why Keuchel can’t pull a Clayton Kershaw, or at least come close to it. Keuchel was a perfect 15-0 at home, relinquishing only four home runs and a .186 opponent batting average at Minute Maid Park. Also, the Astros were second in the AL in home runs and sixth in runs scored, with an offense that’s predicted to continue improving. Keuchel will undoubtedly get plenty of run support and is a top ten fantasy pitcher heading into 2016.
