Helsley (2-0) earned the win Saturday against the Phillies. He gave up one run on two hits while fanning three across 1.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley got off to a slow start this season, and while he saw the end of a four-game stretch where he didn't allow any runs, it's also fair to say he still got the job done to earn his second win of the campaign. He has given up one run or fewer in seven of his eight outings in 2021.

Helsley has an unblemished ERA and 5:2 K:BB across 4.2 innings covering his last four appearances.

EDGE Analysis

That solid stretch includes a one-inning outing against the Nationals on Wednesday, his fourth straight without allowing a run. It represents a strong rebound for Helsley, who opened the season by giving up five earned runs on seven hits and four walks across 2.2 innings in his first three appearances.

Helsley allowed four earned runs on two hits, two walks and a wild pitch over just one-third of an inning in a loss to the Reds on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Sunday's nightmarish outing, which saw Helsley get just 12 of 26 pitches into the strike zone, was in contrast to a one-inning scoreless appearance Opening Day when he worked around three hits. The fact he's been very hittable over the first two outings is a bit concerning, however, considering Helsley also allowed a hit per inning in spring training and pitched to a 5.25 ERA while posting unsightly 6.0 BB/9 and 2.3 HR/9 ratios across his 12 appearances last season.

Helsley has fired two scoreless innings across his first two Grapefruit League appearances, allowing no hits, two walks and recording three strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley drew a ninth-inning assignment in a tie with the Marlins on Monday after debuting with a seventh-inning appearance against the Astros on Thursday. He entered the 2020 season with the potential to close out some games in the absence of Jordan Hicks, but Helsley ultimately went just 1-for-3 in save opportunities across 12 appearances. The hard-throwing right-hander is likely ticketed for seventh- and eighth-inning work even if Hicks isn't ready for the full-time closer role right from the start of the season.

Helsley walked two batters without allowing a run in two-thirds of an inning to record his first save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Pirates in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.

EDGE Analysis

Alex Reyes got the first out of the seventh inning before handing the ball to Helsley, who loaded the bases with two outs thanks to a Paul DeJong error sandwiched between the free passes. The right-hander was then able to escape the jam by getting John Ryan Murphy to fly out to end the game. Helsley has not pitched well at all since coming off the COVID-19 list, posting an 11.81 ERA, 2.63 WHIP and 2:6 K:BB over 5.1 innings while going 1-for-3 on save chances, but he will apparently remain in the high-leverage mix for manager Mike Shildt.

Helsley (1-1) took the loss and a blown save in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk across one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

With Giovanny Gallegos (groin) on the injured list, Helsley was called upon to try and pick up the save after the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the eighth. He walked Avisail Garcia to start the frame before bouncing back to strike out of Christian Yelich. He was pulled a batter later after allowing a game-tying double to Ryan Braun and was ultimately charged with another run on Keston Hiura's sacrifice fly. Given Helsley's inability to shut the door Monday, it would not be surprising to see manager Mike Shildt go in a different direction next time the Cardinals come across a save chance.

Helsley was identified by manager Mike Shildt as a candidate to see save opportunities the rest of the season in the wake of Giovanny Gallegos' (groin) placement on the injured list, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Granted, the right-hander hasn't exactly built a compelling case for high-leverage work recently, as Helsley has allowed at least one earned run in four straight appearances and now carries a bloated 7.71 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over six trips to the mound. However, the 26-year-old certainly demonstrated upside in his rookie 2019 campaign, when he finished with a 2-0 record and 2.95 ERA in 36.2 innings. Moreover, Helsley posted double-digit K/9s at four different minor-league seasons and boasts a fastball that's currently averaging a tick under 97 mph, so the foundational tools for a ninth-inning role would appear to be there.

Helsley, who surrendered two earned runs on two hits over an inning while recording a strikeout in the first game of a doubleheader against the Twins on Tuesday, now has a 10.80 ERA across 3.1 innings in his first three appearances since returning from the COVID-19 injured list.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley had opened the season with a pair of perfect appearances before he and the Cardinals' season were both sidelined due to the team's coronavirus outbreak. The hard-throwing right-hander's struggles since his return underscore the notion the month-plus layoff particularly affected him; Helsley came into the season riding high off an impressive rookie campaign during which he posted a 2.95 ERA and didn't give up an earned run in more than two consecutive appearances over 36.2 innings.

Helsley allowed an earned run on a solo home run and allowed one other hit and a walk across one inning in a win over the Reds on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The right-handed reliever was making his first appearance since July 29 after a bout with COVID-19 and an extended build-up period on the injured list. Helsley threw 15 pitches overall and surrendered a solo blast to Joey Votto, but some rust was to be expected after such a long layoff. Given the solid workload he logged Tuesday, Helsley should be ready for a steady role moving forward.

Helsley (not injury related) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley will return to the bullpen after building back up from a positive COVID-19 test in early August. He's been building up at alternate camp through bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions. His last game action came July 29. Right-hander Jesus Cruz was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.