Orioles' New Closer Ryan Helsley Brings the Heat in Opening Day Victory
BALTIMORE - The Baltimore Orioles started the 2026 season with a bang, thanks to their new closer, Ryan Helsley. In a thrilling 2-1 Opening Day win over the Twins at Camden Yards, Helsley showcased his electric arm, delivering six pitches clocked at over 100 mph. This feat is particularly impressive considering the Orioles managed only two such pitches in the entire 2025 season.
Helsley, who joined Baltimore on a two-year, $28 million deal, was nothing short of spectacular in his debut. The 31-year-old right-hander struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning to secure the win, generating seven swings and misses in his 19-pitch outing. His four-seam fastball was the star of the show, with five whiffs and one pitch reaching a blistering 101.9 mph.
First baseman Pete Alonso, who played with Helsley in New York last season, was all praises: "That’s prime Hels right there. He threw the rock well, with conviction, and when he throws a heater, it lights up the radar gun."
Helsley's fastball was the hardest thrown by an Orioles pitcher since Félix Bautista's 102.3 mph pitch in 2023. Bautista, unfortunately, had to undergo Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss most of the 2026 season, making Helsley’s role even more crucial.
Reflecting on his debut, Helsley said, "I felt really good. It was fun to go out there and trust it and just be myself." After a challenging stint with the Mets, where he struggled with a 7.20 ERA, Helsley seems to have found his groove again in Baltimore.
From 2022-24, Helsley was among MLB's top relievers, posting a 1.83 ERA with 82 saves for the Cardinals. Known for his velocity, he’s hit 103-plus mph 15 times in his career and even touched 104 twice.
Adding to his arsenal, Helsley has introduced a splitter, which he used effectively on Opening Day. "It’s my first year really throwing it, and it felt good out there," Helsley shared.
Manager Craig Albernaz was impressed, noting, "That was the best we’ve seen Hels. He threw some really good splits, too."
While Helsley is the only reliever with a defined role, the Orioles are experimenting with their bullpen to find the best fit for each pitcher. In the opener, Trevor Rogers delivered seven scoreless innings, with Tyler Wells allowing Minnesota’s only run in the eighth.
The Orioles have revamped their roster this year, bringing in notable names like Alonso, outfielder Taylor Ward, and starters Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt. There's a palpable excitement around the team's potential.
Helsley felt the energy firsthand during his first Opening Day in Baltimore. "The pregame festivities were awesome, and the crowd really showed up," he said. "It was a great atmosphere and a lot of fun to be out there and compete."
With Helsley closing games, the Orioles are poised for a thrilling season. Fans can expect more heart-pounding moments as "Hells Bells" by AC/DC heralds their new closer’s entrance.