The fireworks were there onLabor Day. Ten runs, plenty of big swings, and another win at Citi Field. But as the Mets wrapped up their 10-8 slugfest over Detroit, the buzz in the stands felt more uneasy than triumphant.
It wasn’t the offense-Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and company have proven they can hang with anyone. The problem came when the bullpen door swung open, and Ryan Helsley jogged out. The man New York brought in at the deadline to steady the ninth inning hasn’t delivered the calm they expected.
Instead, he’s turned every save chance into a tightrope act. Helsley’s August was brutal: a 9.31 ERA and more blown saves than clean ones. For a pitcher making $8.2 million this year, the patience is wearing thin. September has essentially become his last audition.
ESPN’s playoff oddsaren’t helping the mood around Queens. Just a month ago, the Mets were projected at 90 wins. Now? That number has slipped closer to 87, with postseason chances under 90% and championship odds barely above 5%.
It mirrors what fans already feel-this team can hit, but it doesn’t look like a group built to survive October without a reliable closer. That’s why Helsley’s struggles sting twice as hard. Gregory Soto and Tyler Rogers, the other bullpen additions, have done their jobs. Helsley was supposed to be the statement move. Instead, he’s been the sore spot.
Mendoza Looks for Silver Linings
Manager Carlos Mendoza isn’t giving up on him just yet. After another shaky outing against Detroit, where Helsley gave up a run before being pulled, Mendoza actually pointed to signs of progress: more strikes, more aggressiveness.
“I actually thought he was better,”Mendoza told reporters, noting Detroit’s hitters “came out aggressive and got him.” It wasn’t exactly glowing praise, but it was enough to show the Mets aren’t ready to slam the door shut on their closer.
Small Positives, Big Stakes
That cautious optimism carried into the front office, which is trying to insulate the bullpen with reinforcements. September roster expansion brought Luisangel Acuña and Justin Hagenman to Queens. Acuña gives them speed and defense late in games, while Hagenman adds length for a pen that’s been overworked. Add in better health news-Tyrone Taylor’s hamstring improving, Francisco Álvarez back in rehab games-and the Mets are clinging to whatever good news they can find.
But the elephant in the room is still Helsley. If he steadies, the Mets’ shaky playoff outlook could shift. If not, ESPN’s fading projections may end up looking generous.
The Mets have 25 games left to prove they belong in October. For Helsley, that’s 25 games to show he can be more than an expensive mistake. His fastball might touch triple digits, but in September, it’s his margin for error that’s hitting zero.
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