Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Flamethrower One Outing Away From Breaking Incredible Franchise Record

The St. Louis fireballer is having a remarkable season

Nate Hagerty

Sep 22, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) enters the game against the Cleveland Guardians during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Sep 22, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) enters the game against the Cleveland Guardians during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images / Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
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The St. Louis Cardinals have plenty to address this winter as the club looks to rebound from missing the playoffs for a second straight year but at least the bullpen should stay intact.

In a season full of inconsistent performances from key players, the Cardinals' relief core remained a reliable constant for the club -- ranking No. 7 in the league with a 3.62 ERA.

The bullpen's success this year couldn't have been possible without its leader, who has the chance to set a remarkable franchise record before the season ends.

Cardinals right-handed pitcher Ryan Helsley logged his No. 48 save of the season Wednesday night against the Colorado Rockies in a 5-2 victory, tying the franchise record for most single-season saves since RHP Trevor Rosenthal's 2015 performance.

Helsley has logged a 7-4 record with a 2.07 ERA, 77-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .209 batting average against and a 1.10 WHIP in 65 1/3 innings pitched for the Cardinals this season.

The 30-year-old has been one of the most dominant relievers in the league, winning National League Reliever of the Month twice and being considered for NL Reliever of the Year.

The flamethrower was undefeated at home in 2024 and the Cardinals are looking forward to having him back in the bullpen next season. Helsley is under team control for one more year and will become a free agent for the first time in his career in 2026 -- if St. Louis doesn't extend his contract.

Considering the Cardinals have played in close games all year, there's a solid chance Helsley will get his chance to break Rosenthal's record -- four games left to play -- and establish himself as the franchise's single-season saves leader.

More MLB: Cardinals' Oli Marmol's Job Reportedly Could Be At Stake If New Leadership Takes Over

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Nate Hagerty

NATE HAGERTY

Nate Hagerty joined “Inside The Cardinals” as a content creator to spread knowledge about his favorite childhood team. A hometown native of Boston, Hagerty chose at an early age of six years old to follow the St. Louis Cardinals. The miraculous season of 04’ for the Red Sox did not deter Hagerty from rooting against his hometown team, nor did it in 2013 against the Red Birds. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu 

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