St. Louis is heating up — and so is Ryan Helsley, as well as rookie Matt Svanson, Phil Maton, and Willson Contreras. All four Cardinals hit significant milestones over the weekend against Cleveland.
It’s 100 Career Saves for Ryan Helsley
The Cardinals’ flame-throwing closer hit a major career milestone Saturday, locking down save No. 100 in a wild 9–6 comeback win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. It wasn’t just a big moment for Helsley — it was the exclamation point on a night packed with milestones, momentum, and more signs that the Cardinals are starting to find their groove.
After the game, Helsley took a moment to reflect on the accomplishment. “It’s pretty surreal,” he told MLB.com’s John Denton. “You’re not really thinking about it in the moment, but when you think about 100 saves — I don’t know how many people have done that over their careers — and it’s probably not that many.”
He’s not wrong. Reaching 100 saves puts Helsley in rare air — and it’s just the latest chapter in what’s becoming a dominant 2025 season. Saturday’s save marked his 16th of the year and capped off a gutsy team win after falling behind early.
And 100 saves will probably only make him more desirable on the trade market.
Other Cardinals Milestones
But Helsley wasn’t the only one racking up the milestones. Rookie Matt Svanson earned his first career win — and the classic laundry cart celebration that came with it. Phil Maton notched career strikeout No. 500 with a clutch punchout in the eighth, fanning Angel Martínez with the bases loaded. And Willson Contreras quietly reached the 900-hit mark, adding to his personal rivalry-fueled resurgence.
The Cardinals need Contreras to stay hot in the batters box, and not hot headed on the field as he did against the Cubs or here against the Brewers.
As for the big picture? The Cardinals have now won six straight on the road and ten of their last thirteen overall. That run has pulled them even with the San Diego Padres in the National League Wild Card race, and with the offense clicking — they’ve outscored Cleveland 21–6 for the series — the timing couldn’t be better.
Sunday’s series finale was a 7-0 blowout of the Guardians. Thus the Cardinals are carrying a full head of steam into the second half of the season..
