Keuchel confident Astros can repeat: 'We're not the Cubs'

After winning the 2017 World Series, the Houston Astros are no longer an up-and-coming franchise. The next step is proving they aren't a one-hit wonder.

Starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel is confident that another championship is in play. That didn't immediately prove to be the case for the Chicago Cubs, who were bounced from the postseason in the NLCS a year after winning their first World Series since 1908.

"We're not the Cubs," Keuchel told The Washington Post's Dave Sheinen. "I firmly believe we have better players."

His conviction isn't surprising. The Astros featured baseball's strongest offense in 2017. Its only significant offseason loss came when designated hitter Carlos Beltran retired, and his impact on the lineup was limited.

Top starter Justin Verlander is a holdover after being acquired at the end of August, and former Pittsburgh Pirates ace Gerrit Cole is now in the fold following a January trade. Add in a couple of key bullpen additions - Joe Smith and Hector Rondon - and the Astros arguably got better.

Obviously, the World Series isn't won in March, so time will tell whether or not the Astros can be the first team since the New York Yankees from 1998-2000 to win consecutive championships.