MLB Saves Leader Makes Franchise History in a Disappointing Season
Ryan Helsley has had a spectacular 2024 season. Despite the Cardinals’ struggles, Helsley was able to make franchise history with three games remaining. After recording his 48th save of the season on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies, Helsley had his sights set on history. After a shutout ninth inning versus the Giants yesterday and a six-to-three victory, Helsley has now broken the Cardinals’ all-time single-season saves record at 49. This total is one above Trevor Rosenthal, who saved 48 contests for the Cardinals back in 2015.
To say Ryan Helsley has been great this year, would be an understatement. With seven wins, four losses, 49 saves out of 53 opportunities, and an earned run average of 2.04, Helsley has proved himself to be one of the best relief pitchers in baseball. Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase is the only other reliever in baseball with at least 40 saves this year, currently sitting at 47. His stellar performance has been a bright spot for the Cardinals this season, even though they will miss the playoffs after their second straight disappointing season.
Along with Helsley, young players like Masyn Winn, Alec Burleson, and Brendan Donovan have been the Cardinals’ other bright spots this year. Apart from these four, there is a lot of improvement that the Cardinals will need to see next year in order to get back to competing at the highest level. Although veteran pitching from Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson was serviceable this season, their earned run average ranked 17th in baseball as a team. This is a number that must be improved for the team to get back to success. On the offensive end, the team is 23rd in the league in runs scored and 22nd in the league in home runs hit. As important as runs and home runs are to modern baseball, the offense needs to improve quite a lot next season as well. In regards to Ryan Helsley, he will look to pick up at least one more save with two games remaining in order to achieve the mark of 50 saves on the season, a milestone that only 17 other relievers have ever achieved.
