St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley converted his 33rd save of the season in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Pirates. Helsley came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by one and locked things down by striking out the side. The 30-year-old has been one of baseball's and fantasy's top closers this season, converting all but two save opportunities with a 2.25 ERA, a 10.84 K/9 rate, and a 3.68 BB/9 rate. He currently has the most saves in baseball and should continue to provide top fantasy value in the second half, especially if the Cardinals continue to play well.
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said the reason closer Ryan Helsley (hip) declined to pitch in the All-Star game earlier this week was due to nagging hip tightness. Helsley alerted the team to the pain, and they decided it would be better for him to rest up for the second half of the season. The Cardinals' series opener on Friday against the hosting Atlanta Braves was postponed due to inclement weather, but Helsley is available to pitch for Saturday's doubleheader. It's something worth watching for the lockdown 30-year-old closer in the second half of the season, but fantasy managers obviously need to keep him in their starting lineups. Helsley made his second All-Star team this year by recording a league-high 32 saves to go along with a 2.36 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42 innings out of the bullpen.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley said that he's unlikely to pitch in the All-Star game on Tuesday and instead wants to take a break so that he's well-rested for the start of the second half of the season on Friday. As a result, Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan will take Helsley's place on the National League roster. Helsley isn't injured at all but just wants to monitor his workload after throwing 42 innings in the first half. The 29-year-old has been brilliant in 2024 and leads the league with a career-high 32 saves, but he's on pace to easily set a new career-high in innings pitched, with his previous career-high in innings in the majors coming in 2022 (64 2/3). Along with his league-leading 32 saves, Helsley has a 2.36 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and 48 K's and has become an elite fantasy closer.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley continued his stellar season on Tuesday, earning his 31st save in a 7-4 win over the Pirates. Helsley came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by three and delivered a 1-2-3 outing with a strikeout. Helsley provided fantasy value in his last several seasons but has taken another step this season, converting a league-best 31 saves in 32 opportunities with a 2.54 ERA, a 10.85 K/9 rate, and a 3.69 BB/9 rate in 39 innings pitched. The Cardinals have been playing better baseball lately, which should give Helsley plenty of opportunities to provide further fantasy value.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley tossed a clean ninth inning to secure a 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants. Helsley ran into a bit of trouble, allowing a walk and a single, but got out of it without damage. The 29-year-old now has a league-leading 25 saves and has blown only one, which came in his first opportunity of the season back in March. Helsley should continue to be an elite fantasy option and provide solid ratios, strikeouts, and plenty of saves the rest of the way.
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Ryan Helsley allowed two runs on four hits in one inning to earn the save in Saturday's 7-6 win over the Cubs. Helsley entered the game in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. The 29-year-old surrendered back-to-back hits before retiring Ian Happ for the first out in the ninth. He later got Seiya Suzuki to fly out but yielded two runs before retiring Christopher Morel for the final out of the game. It was the first earned runs Helsley had allowed since April 8. He owns a 1.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts over 23 innings in 2024. Helsley has been one of the top closers in baseball, and fantasy managers should continue to start him in all leagues.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley continued his stellar start to the season in Monday's 6-3 win over the Orioles, earning his 14th save. Helsley came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first two outs on a pop-out and a groundout, allowed a walk, and ended the game with a fly-out. The 29-year-old has been rock solid for his team and fantasy managers, converting all but one save opportunity with a 1.29 ERA, a 9.86 K/9 rate, and a 1.29 BB/9 rate. Despite the Cardinals' disappointing season, he is now tied for the most saves in the league with Emmanuel Clase. Helsley should continue to be a high-end fantasy option, especially if he can continue to limit his walks.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley recorded his 12th save of the season versus the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. Helsley worked a perfect 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. The right-hander remains one of the best closers in the league and hasn't allowed an earned run since April 8. Overall, Helsley has a rock solid 1.42 ERA to go along with a 0.84 WHIP and 21 strikeouts over 19 innings. Managers should continue to enjoy rostering one of the best closers in the game, but also be aware that the Cardinals could be sellers as the season progresses. If Helsley were to be dealt., Andrew Kittredge and Giovanni Gallegos would likely be the next men up for saves.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley cruised to his 12th save on Sunday, slamming the door on the Milwaukee Brewers in a 4-3 win. Helsley pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out a pair in the process. The fireballer has been one of the best closers in baseball this season, converting 12 of his 13 save opportunities (his only blown save came on his first chance) while pitching to a 1.42 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 21 strikeouts in 19 IP. He should remain an elite closing option as long as he can stay healthy.
After a rough inning of work on Monday that saw St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley allow two runs (one earned), the right-hander bounced back with a perfect inning on Tuesday to secure his fourth save of the season. Helsley now has tossed seven innings with seven strikeouts and one walk on the season. The 29-year-old is fully entrenched as the club's closer, but fantasy managers in holds leagues or those looking to have insurance on Helsley should consider Giovanny Gallegos or Andrew Kittredge. As it stands, Helsley remains one of the most trusted closers in all formats.
