Is this any way for the defending American League West champions to start a season? With four of their projected frontline starting pitchers on the injured list?

That’s how the Astros will kick off their 2024 season next week against the dreaded enemy New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park … with Justin Verlander, Jose Urquidy, Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia out of action with injuries.

The game technically is a sell-out, but secondary market sites have tickets available starting at $74 in the nosebleeds up to $500 for up close and personal seats.

Verlander is expected to miss only a couple of starts, Urquidy is scheduled to resume throwing in 10-15 days, while McCullers Jr. and Garcia are hoping to rejoin the team around the midseason mark.

In the meantime, the Astros will head to battle with a rotation of opening day starter Framber Valdez followed by Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, J.P. France, Ronel Blanco and possibly Brandon Bielak. All six combined for 49 wins last season.

Will that crew be able to hold down the fort until Verlander and the other wounded hurlers return? It’s the question mark of Astros spring training. No wonder the Astros pushed hard – but not hard enough – to sign free agent and reigning National League Cy Young winner Blake Snell this week. Snell rejected the Astros offer and signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants.

The current rotation will not look like your father’s – or A.J. Hinch or Dusty Baker’s – Astros when the umpire yells “Play Ball!” next week.

Let’s cherry-pick the starting rotations from the Astros ongoing dynasty of seven consecutive ALCS appearances, four World Series appearances and two championships since 2017.

In 2017, the Astros first World Series title, the team finished with 101 wins and 61 losses. The pitching staff was led by Charlie Morton (14-7), Dallas Keuchel (14-5), Brad Peacock (13-2), Lance McCullers (7-4) and a late add-on named Justin Verlander who went 5-0) for the Astros. All winning records. Bet you forgot Peacock’s ridiculous mark that championship season.

In 2018, the Astros improved to 103-59. The starters were led by Verlander (16-9), Charlie Morton (15-3), Gerrit Cole (15-5), Dallas Keuchel (12-11) and Lance McCullers Jr. (10-6).

As you look back on Astros recent seasons, you begin to wonder why or how the Astros let Charlie Morton escape Houston. Also, if the name is unfamiliar to young fans, yes, Lance McCullers Jr. once was a full-time pitcher for the Astros.

In 2019, the Astros improved even more with a 107-55 record. That was the year that Verlander (21-6) and Cole (20-5) battled 1-2 for the Cy Young Award. Wade Miley had a 14-6 record and Brad Peacock went 7-6. Zack Greinke went 8-1 after being traded to Houston.

In 2022, the Astros finished 106-56 and won their second World Series. Verlander was outstanding at 18-4, Valdez became a legit star with a 17-6 mark and set an in-season record with 25 consecutive quality starts. Garcia went 15-8, Urquidy was 13-8 and Javier was 11-9.

Even though the Astros won the American League West in a tiebreaker last season, the team won only 90 games and the starting rotation had some rough moments. Verlander started the season with the Mets, joined the Astros midstream and went 7-3 for the Houstonians. Valdez fell back to 12-11, Javier started strong but faded and finished 10-5, J.P. France came out of the blue with a surprising 11-6 mark and newcomer Hunter Brown went 11-13. Sometimes starter Brandon Bielak chipped in with 5-6.

Where have you gone Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton?

Despite last season’s return to Earth, and injuries wracking the current pitching staff, the Astros are the betting choice (+700) among American League teams to win the World Series. Only the Dodgers (+320) and Braves (+450) have better odds of lifting baseball’s Commissioner’s Trophy.