‘Ryan Helsley’ Trending Now: Cardinals Closer’s 103-MPH Fastball and Clutch Saves Spark MLB Buzz

The New York Mets believed they were acquiring a difference-maker when they sent three prospects to St. Louis for two-time All-Star reliever Ryan Helsley at the July 30 trade deadline. Three weeks later, the hard-throwing right-hander is still searching for the dominating form that once made him one of baseball’s most feared closers. Helsley owns an uncharacteristic 5.59 ERA and .306 opponents’ average through his first nine appearances in Queens, and he has already been charged with two late-inning losses—including Wednesday’s 6-5 defeat in Atlanta, where a hanging slider was deposited into the right-field seats. The stumble continued an ugly stretch that has prompted manager Carlos Mendoza to admit the club is “working through some things” with its new setup man. Why the sudden downturn? 1. Usage pattern In St. Louis, Helsley was used almost exclusively in clean ninth innings. The Mets, desperate for stability in the seventh and eighth, have asked him to enter with runners on base—a scenario in which opponents are slugging .667 against him since the trade. 2. Fastball shape According to Statcast, Helsley’s four-seam fastball has lost nearly two inches of vertical carry while his average velocity has dipped from 99.3 mph in June to 97.8 mph in August. The flatter profile has made the pitch less deceptive up in the zone. 3. Slider command Helsley is landing only 38 percent of his sliders for strikes, down from 47 percent with the Cardinals. “I’m yanking it,” he admitted after Friday’s outing in which he walked two and served up a game-tying double. The Mets have begun tweaking Helsley’s mechanics, shortening his pre-pitch glove tap to help him stay balanced over the rubber. Early bullpen sessions showed improved life, and team officials remain optimistic that an adjustment period is all that separates the 31-year-old from a return to elite form. Long-term implications New York traded for Helsley with both 2025 contention and 2026 in mind; he reaches free agency this winter and has expressed openness to an extension. A rebound could solidify the back end of a bullpen that already features Edwin Díaz and 2024 breakout lefty Brooks Raley. Conversely, continued struggles may force the Mets to revisit JoJo Romero—Helsley’s de facto replacement in St. Louis, who has flourished in the closer role since the swap. What’s next Helsley is slated for two more appearances on the current road trip before the Mets return to Citi Field. Club insiders say his role could be dialed back temporarily, allowing him to face the heart of opposing orders only after he demonstrates more consistent command. Fantasy managers in holds leagues should monitor the situation closely. If the Mets are to stay within striking distance of the final National League Wild Card spot, they need the flamethrower they thought they acquired—one who averaged 13.1 K/9 and held hitters to a .154 batting average during his 2024 All-Star campaign. For Ryan Helsley, the challenge is clear: fix the fastball ride, sharpen the slider, and give Queens the late-inning weapon it craves.