The St. Louis Cardinals might need some pitching reinforcements soon with all of the injuries they have dealt with.
But one man in particular has helped ease the burden on the rest of the bullpen.
27-year-old fireballer Ryan Helsley has emerged as the Cardinals closer and is blowing hitters away with his high-octane fastball that can sometimes eclipse 100 mph.
Helsley was back at it again on Tuesday night when the Cardinals played the Miami Marlins.
He entered the game with St. Louis ahead 5-3 and three outs away from securing a series win.
Helsey got the job done and the Cardinals picked up win No. 43 on the year.
Katie Woo of the Athletic tweeted at the end of the game about Helsley’s dominance.
Helsley’s Dominance
Helsey has come a long way.
After a breakout season in 2019, he tapered off a little in 2020.
Though it was a short season, he posted a 5.25 ERA in 12 appearances.
Things got a little better in 2021, as he posted a 6-4 record, but his ERA sat at 4.56 and his season was cut short due to a knee injury.
This year, he’s back to where he was in 2019.
Maybe he’s a little better than that.
His 0.30 ERA would suggest so.
He’s also 3-0 in 24 appearances and has only been scored on twice this season.
Helsey seems to have seized the closer’s job, earning it after some struggles by former closer Giovanny Gallegos.
But Helsey has helped calm things down in the Cards bullpen, which is without some key arms, including Genesis Cabrera.
St. Louis has been able to count on him all season long and it would be a huge surprise if Helsley does not get an All-Star selection this summer.
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