As the Houston Astros head into the 2017 season, they have their lineup in place. But if the team wants to avoid another letdown season like they suffered in 2016, the starting rotation needs to improve. In order for that to happen, Houston's ace Dallas Keuchel must be much better than he performed last season and he'll get his first chance to do that when Houston opens up the season on April 3.

It will mark the third consecutive year that Houston gave Keuchel the nod to kick off the season. After winning the American League Cy Young award in the 2015 season, Keuchel took a massive step back in 2016.

A 2.48 ERA across 232 innings pitched the previous season, turned into a 4.55 ERA over an injury-plagued 168 innings last year. The numbers across the board took a hit. His K/9 sunk from 8.38 to 7.71, his BB/9 rose from 1.98 to 2.57 and his HR/9 skyrocketed from 0.66 to 1.07.

Keuchel faces major fantasy questions as he enters the 2017 season. Documented shoulder issues, declining velocity, mediocre strikeout rates and long-term questions about his stuff. It presents a significant risk for fantasy owners trying to hope he returns to the sub-three ERA level he performed at in 2015 and 2014. For now, fantasy owners might be better off avoiding Keuchel and drafting someone with more strikeout potential