MLB Regular Season Wrap-Up/Playoff Preview

Todd Helton's Retirement

Todd Helton
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Todd Helton played his last game yesterday. He played his whole career with the Rockies. He player his college career at Tennessee and it was very eventful. He played on the Volunteers football and baseball teams. His football career was at a peak during the 1994 season, when he started three games due to the starting quarterback getting injured. In his third start, he also got injured and was replaced by, Peyton Manning, and the rest is history. His baseball career was better than his football career. He won the Dick Hoswer Trophy in 1995 as college baseball's best player.

Two years after being drafted, Helton played his first game in the majors on August 2, 1997. The next year, he was the runner-up for Rookie of the Year. His best year was 2000. He was arguably the best player in the league. He was first in the league in batting average with .372, on-base percentage with .463, slugging percentage with .698, on-base plus slugging with 1.162, hits with 217, doubles with 59, total bases with 405 and ribbies with 147. He also had 42 homers, 103 walks, 138 runs, 8.9 rWAR, and 163 OPS+. He made an All-Star appearance, was fifth in the MVP voting and won a Sliver Slugger Award.

The next four seasons were much the same. He hit over .329, had 182+ hits, 39+ doubles and always had an OPS over 1.000. It was a stretch for the ages. He appeared in the All-Star Game every year, won three Gold Gloves, and three Sliver Sluggers. From 2005-2007, Helton was still hitting about .300/.400/.475 every year. After 2007, he was not the same player, but still was productive. 

Todd Helton
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With Helton's career over the question now becomes whether or not he is a Hall of Famer. He definitely has the numbers and many highlights. He is a little short on the accolades, but that is not his biggest problem. His two big problems are that he played in the Steroid Era and played in Denver. Players from the Steroid Era have had trouble getting into the Hall. Also, many people have been downgrading Helton and Larry Walker's career numbers for playing in a hitter-freindly ball park. However, I believe that Helton deserves to be in Cooperstown. He has been a great player for many years and his peak seasons were amazing. Not only that, Helton is just an all-around great guy and one of my favorite players.

Breakout Seasons from Matt Carpenter, Carlos Gomez

Many players have had breakout seasons in 2013. The biggest breakout star has been St. Louis Cardinals' second baseman Matt Carpenter. He leads the league in hits with 199, doubles with 55 and runs scored with 126. He has been outstanding for the Cardinals this year. Carlos Gomez also had a breakout year. With Ryan Braun injured and suspended for most of the year, the Brewers need other players to rise up to the occasion. Gomez did just that and was Milwaukee's best player. He hit 27 doubles, 10 triples, 24 homers, stole 40 bases and had a .843 OPS. He also had a rWAR of 8.4, which placed him third in the league. Both players had incredible regular seasons and, hopefully, that success will carry over to next year.

Playoff Team to Rise to the Occasion

The Detroit Tigers are primed to return to the World Series for the second straight season. They are the most complete team in postseason. They have the league's best rotation and a stacked lineup. Let's start with the pitching. Their starting rotation is outstanding. It's starts with Justin Verlander. Even though he has had an off year, he is still a menace to face in October. Then, they have Max Scherzer, arguably the best pitcher in the game this year. He is 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA, 0.970 WHIP, a 145 ERA+, and 240 strikeouts. Their third starter is one of the most underrated in the game this year. Anibal Sanchez has been superb. He has an ERA of 2.57, a WHIP of 1.154, 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings, an ERA+ of 163 and 202 strikeouts. That 1-2-3 combo is deadly. Their lineup is built around the best player in the game, Miguel Cabrera. But, Miggy is not the only player who has been good in the lineup. Omar Infante is hitting .318, Prince Fielder has 36 doubles, 25 round-trippers, 106 RBIs and an OPS of .819 and Torii Hunter, Austin Jackson, and Victor Martinez have had productive years. The Tigers look like they will be back in the World Series.

Playoff Team to Struggle in the Limelight

Dan Uggla
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I am a fan of the Braves, but not in this year's playoffs. Not only do they have to face the NL's hottest team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. if they were facing any other team, I would have liked them a lot more. It is not just their opponent. They have been very streaky. Justin Upton has been hot and cold. Justin's brother, BJ, and Dan Uggla both have batting averages under .185. That is way under the Mendoza Line. The only constant, productive hitters have been Freddie Freeman and Chris Johnson. They do have a top defensove shortstop in Anrelton Simmons. His defensive WAR of 5.4 this year is tied for the highest all-time. Their starting pitching has been good, but not great. They will need to have great starting pitching to have a chance against LA. Atlanta may have made the playoffs, but they were not a very good team in the regular season, and their flaws will show in the postseason.