Ryan Helsley

Ryan Helsley didn't appear in a save situation on Sunday as the Cardinals beat the Brewers 5-2 to wrap up a playoff birth.

Fantasy Impact

Helsley has been usurped by Andrew Miller in the pecking order for saves at the back end of the Cardinals bullpen. But it is probably just a matter of time before they restore Giovanny Gallegos to his role as closer. Helsley finishes the season 1-1 with one save, one hold, two blown saves, a 5.25 ERA, 6.51 xFIP, 7.50 K/9 and 1.25 K/BB in 12 innings pitched. Helsley suffered from COVID-19 and missed nearly four weeks of the season. There is no doubt that some of his poor pitching can be attributed to the virus. Still, owners in standard 12-team redraft leagues can ignore him on draft day in 2021.

Ryan Helsley was called upon to preserve a one run lead with one out in the seventh inning on Friday afternoon. The Pirates loaded the bases against Helsley on two walks and an error but he got J.R. Murphy to fly out to end the game.

Fantasy Impact

Helsley seems to be manager Mike Matheny's choice as closer while Giovanny Gallegos is on the IL. Helsley hasn't pitched particularly well this season with a 7.88 ERA over eight innings pitched but opportunity trumps everything else when evaluating closers. Owners desperate for saves can consider Helsley the Cardinals' replacement closer while Gallegos is out but risk blowing up their ratios by using him.

Ryan Helsley was the Cardinals choice to preserve a 1-0 lead in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with Giovanny Gallegos on the IL. Helsley allowed a walk to Avisail Garcia and a double to Ryan Braun that scored the Brewers ghost runner and put runners on second and third before being relieved by Austin Gomber. This was the Cardinals first save opportunity since Gallegos injured his groin on Thursday. The Cardinals fell to 20-21 with the loss.

Fantasy Impact

Helsley has zero career saves in 44 innings pitched and a 8.59 ERA in seven and one third innings pitched this season. It is likely that he is part of a closer committee for Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny with reliever Andrew Miller, Tyler Webb and perhaps John Gant. Owners in standard 12-team redraft leagues can leave Helsley on the Waiver Wire because there is no guarantee that the next save opportunity will be given to him and his poor ratios make him a risky option without the guarantee of saves.

Ryan Helsely (1-0) came on after opener Austin Gomber and got the Cardinals out of a jam in the third inning. Then he pitched a scoreless fourth inning and got one out, allowing an infield single in the top of the fifth before being relieved by Genesis Cabrera who allowed the inherited runner to score. The Cardinals went on to win the game 5-1 and are now 16-15 on the season.

Fantasy Impact

Helsley has pitched only five innings this season after being diagnosed with COVID-19 during the Cardinals' outbreak in early August. He was solid as a middle reliever for the Cardinals last season with a 2.95 ERA in 36 2/3 innings pitched. He is not a factor for saves or holds because Gallegos, Gomber, and Gant have been excellent for the Cardinals' this season and therefore Helsely's opportunities may be scant.

Ryan Helsley will travel with the Cardinals and could be activated this week.

Fantasy Impact

The Cardinals will “evaluate what Helsley situation is to be activated potentially early in the week," said Cardinals manager Mike Shildt. Helsley continues recover from COVID-19 and could be activated from the injured list soon. The 26-year-old has appeared in only two games in 2020.