The New York Mets envisioned a lockdown bullpen after acquiring Ryan Helsley, but his first outings have sparked quiet unease among fans.

On Thursday against the Atlanta Braves, New York entered the eighth inning holding a narrow 3-2 lead. Helsley, brought in for high-leverage stability, surrendered two runs and flipped the game’s momentum, leading to a 4-3 defeat.

The loss wasn’t just about one bad inning — it marked a third straight outing in which Helsley allowed at least one run. In two of those games, the runs were earned, and the damage directly changed the outcome.

For a bullpen designed to be airtight, those cracks are glaring. Edwin Díaz and Tyler Rogers have been excellent, but Helsley hasn’t yet matched their rhythm or reliability.

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