Above .500 and Some Trade Deadline Talk
Did y'all see Cody Freeman and Michael Helman last night?
Following the Rangers’ 2–1 defeat at the hands of the Tigers on Sunday night, I dragged and bagged on the bottom of the lineup. I mean, how could Cody Freeman, of all people, be a productive member of a team that’s (allegedly) seeking to make the postseason?
I am here to admit that, at least in the short term, I was wrong.
Here is Exhibit A of my guilt:
And here is Michael Helman, another one of the “nobodies” who emerged last night as a hero in a victorious effort against the Athletics:
Ladies and gentlemen, I have egg on my face.
Freeman’s base knock was the first of his big-league career, and for that, I send him my sincerest congratulations. I have no idea how many more of those he’ll rack up throughout his time in Major League Baseball, but for his sake—and also for mine—I hope there are many more to come.
For Helman, that home run was the first long ball of his time in the majors. Just like with Freeman, his stint with the Rangers might have an expiration date that’s fast approaching, but that doesn’t mean we all can’t revel in his outstanding accomplishments for the time being.
I mean, wow. Honestly, I’m in awe of what occurred last night. When I watched those two pick up those big hits, I was struck with a sense of amazement I haven’t felt in a very long time. Baseball truly is an incredible sport, and Freeman and Helman showcased that to the fullest extent yesterday evening.
Perhaps the more pertinent development from last night was the Rangers’ dominant 7–2 win, which brought them back over .500 once again. At 51–50, the time is now to start pushing the pedal to the metal.
