Guardians Clinch AL Postseason Berth on Walk-off Hit By Pitch; Astros Eliminated
The Guardians clinched a postseason spot in the most bizarre way possible: a walk-off hit by pitch.SEPTEMBER 28 • FOX SPORTS
MICHAEL HELMAN #24 - CENTER FIELDER - TEXAS RANGERS
5 HR •
20 RBI •
.232 AVG
5 HR
20 RBI
.232 AVG
Guardians clinch AL playoff berth with 3-2 win over Rangers
CSEPTEMBER 28 • Associated Press
Enters for injured teammate Helman entered Tuesday's game in sixth inning as a pinch hitter for Wyatt Langford (side) and finished 0-for-2 in a 4-1 loss to the Twins.
Impact Helman, who had started in center field the previous three games while Langford battled a side injury, opened the contest on the bench. Langford attempted to play while Texas still had faint playoff hopes, but the pain became too much, and he was eventually removed from the game. The loss eliminated the Rangers from the postseason, which might prompt the team to shut down Langford for the rest of the season. In that event, Helman could have steady role in the center field over the final five games.
SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE
Fills in for injured teammate Helman started in center field and went 0-for-4 in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Marlins.
Impact Helman entered the starting lineup, because Wyatt Langford (side) was unable to play. The Rangers are evaluating Langford and haven't established a timeline. Helman's lost playing time since Adolis Garcia returned to the active roster but could regain opportunities should Langford's injury force him to miss more games.
SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE
Playing time dwindling Helman is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Houston.
Impact Helman appears to be sliding back into a reserve role, as this is the third time over the last four games that he's been absent from the lineup. The Rangers will use Wyatt Langford in center field and Alejandro Osuna in left field Wednesday.
SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE
Taking seat Monday Helman is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.
Impact Following a stretch of six consecutive starts during which he went 7-for-19 with two home runs, two doubles, one walk, nine RBI and three runs, Helman will open a second straight game on the bench while the Rangers match up with a right-handed starter (Jason Alexander). Despite not starting in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Mets in 10 innings, Helman still made an impact off the bench, going 1-for-2 with a run scored. Like he did in Sunday's game, Helman will be a candidate to pinch hit for starting left fielder Alejandro Osuna at some point in Monday's contest.
SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE
Mariners Are So Hot Right Now. But the Mets? Our MLB Contender Rankings!
Two weeks away from playoff baseball. How are the contenders stacking up?SEPTEMBER 15 • FOX SPORTS
Out of Sunday's lineup Helman is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.
Impact Helman's absence from the lineup ends a run of six straight starts, during which he went 7-for-19 with two doubles, two homers and nine RBI. Adolis Garcia (quadriceps) is making his return from the injured list Sunday, with Wyatt Langford and Alejandro Osuna rounding out Texas' outfield. Helman and Osuna are the likely candidates to see reduced playing time with Garcia now healthy, but both players have been productive of late, with Osuna carrying a .346 average in September.
SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE
Out of Sunday's lineup Helman is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.
Impact Helman's absence from the lineup ends a run of six straight starts, during which he went 7-for-19 with two doubles, two homers and nine RBI. Adolis Garcia (quadriceps) is making his return from the injured list Sunday, with Wyatt Langford and Alejandro Osuna rounding out Texas' outfield. Helman and Osuna are the likely candidates to see reduced playing time with Garcia now healthy, but both players have been productive of late, with Osuna carrying a .346 average in September.
SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE
Langford caps comeback for streaking Rangers as Mets drop 8th straight, 3-2
Wyatt Langford hit a tiebreaking single off All-Star closer Edwin Díaz with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Texas Rangers rallied past the plummeting New York Mets 3-2SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press
DeGrom leads Rangers over Mets 8-3 in his Citi Field return, extends New York's skid to 7 games
Jacob deGrom received a six-run lead before throwing a pitch in his return to Citi Field, and the Texas Rangers beat the Mets 8-3 to give New York its third seven-game losing strea...SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press
Phantom Pirates player somehow swinging the balance of the AL Wild Card race After only spending 48 hours with the Pirates earlier this year, Michael Helman has turned into an offensive catalyst for the Rangers.
SEPTEMBER 12 • RUMBUNTER.COM
Burger's 2 HRs lift Rangers to series sweep over baseball's best ARLINGTON -- Rangers manager Bruce Bochy always says that to have a good season, you need your core guys to have their typical seasons, in a...
SEPTEMBER 10 • MLB.COM
Goes yard again Helman went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run during Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Brewers.
Impact Helman launched a grand slam in Monday's series opener and followed it up with another homer Tuesday night. His fifth-inning homer off Chad Patrick tied the contest. In the six games leading up to his pair of homers, Helman went 2-for-18 (.111). He has five long balls this season.
SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE
Goes yard again Helman went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run during Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Brewers.
Impact Helman launched a grand slam in Monday's series opener and followed it up with another homer Tuesday night. His fifth-inning homer off Chad Patrick tied the contest. In the six games leading up to his pair of homers, Helman went 2-for-18 (.111). He has five long balls this season.
SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE
Deadspin | Michael Helman hits homer, robs another to lift Rangers past Brewers Deadspin | Michael Helman hits homer, robs another to lift Rangers past Brewers
SEPTEMBER 10 • DEADSPIN.COM
Michael Helman hits 2-run HR, make catch to prevent 2-run HR, as Rangers beat Brewers 5-4
Michael Helman hit a two-run home run during a four-run fifth inning minutes after making a leaping backhand catch that prevented a two-run homer as the Texas Rangers beat the Milw...SEPTEMBER 10 • Associated Press
Texas Rangers fans ecstatic over Michael Helman performance | Sporting News Texas Rangers fans thrilled with Michael Helman's performance
SEPTEMBER 9 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
All those young fill-ins are winning games and keeping Rangers in playoff contention
All of those rookie fill-ins are keeping the injury-plagued Texas Rangers in playoff contentionSEPTEMBER 9 • Associated Press
Drives in career-high five Helman went 2-for-3 with a home run and five RBI in Monday's 5-0 win over Milwaukee.
Impact Helman launched his first career grand slam en route to tallying a career-high five RBI. The center fielder is making a strong impression at the plate so far, and he should continue to play regularly down the stretch for the banged-up Rangers. Through 55 trips to the plate, Helman is slashing .245/.315/.571 with seven extra-base hits, 15 RBI, 13 runs scored and three stolen bases.
SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE
Deadspin | Michael Helman's grand slam carries Rangers past Brewers Deadspin | Michael Helman’s grand slam carries Rangers past Brewers
SEPTEMBER 9 • DEADSPIN.COM
Helman, another unlikely Rangers hero, hits 1st career grand slam ARLINGTON -- The Rangers’ revolving doors of unexpected heroes goes round and round each day before landing on that night’s ultimate winner....
SEPTEMBER 9 • MLB.COM
Helman's grand slam and Latz's scoreless outing push playoff-chasing Rangers past Brewers
Michael Helman drove in all the Texas runs with a grand slam and a double, lefty Jacob Latz pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and the playoff-chasing Rangers beat the MLB-best Milwau...SEPTEMBER 9 • Associated Press
Watch: Michael Helman blasts off vs. Brewers with first Texas Rangers' grand slam of the year Helman got the Rangers off to a great start vs. the Brewers with one swing of the bat.
SEPTEMBER 9 • DALLASNEWS.COM
Gaining traction in center field Helman will start in center field and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Impact With Wyatt Langford recently shifting over to left field after super-utility man Josh Smith was moved back to the middle infield in the wake of Marcus Semien (foot) and Corey Seager (appendectomy) landing on the shelf, center field has been opened up for Helman. The 29-year-old will be occupying center for the sixth game in a row Tuesday after going 5-for-18 with three extra-base hits, three walks, one stolen base, four RBI and five runs over the previous five contests.
SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
