Houston Astros Bullpen Expected to be One of the Best Again in 2023

The latest MLB power rankings has the Houston Astros bullpen in the top spot heading into the 2023 MLB season.

If the 2023 Major League Baseball season is even remotely similar to 2022, you can bet on the Houston Astros leading the charge in terms of employing a solid bullpen.

MLB.com's bullpen power rankings have the Astros at in the top spot heading into the upcoming campaign, with a majority of last year's World Series-winning roster returning for another season in Houston.

The key pitchers that MLB.com takes focus on is Ryan Pressly, Rafael Montero, Bryan Abreu, Hector Neris and Ryne Stanek -- all familiar names that have become familiar in Houston. 

This is the same bullpen that produced a league-leading 2.80 relief ERA last season, and 2023 should be no different.

Pressly, Houston's go-to closer in 2022, garnered a 2.98 ERA last season with 65 strikeouts -- as he once again aims to anchor a solid Astros bullpen.

Sure, the Astros optioned their lone lefty in Matt Gage to Triple-A, but that's only to get him more playing time and therefore more prepared for his entry into Houston's bullpen sometime in 2023.

Regardless, Houston's righty-only bullpen in 2022 helped carry the team all the way to a World Series title -- so why fix what isn't broken?

The complete list of top 10 bullpens for 2023, as ranked by MLB.com, includes:

No. 1: Houston Astros

No. 2: San Diego Padres

No. 3: Atlanta Braves

No. 4: Cleveland Guardians

No. 5: Seattle Mariners

No. 6: Los Angeles Dodgers

No. 7: Philadelphia Phillies

No. 8: Tampa Bay Rays

No. 9: St. Louis Cardinals

No. 10: New York Yankees

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