Hand issued a walk and struck out a batter over a scoreless inning while picking up his 13th save of the season in a 6-3 win over San Francisco on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Hand needed just 11 pitches to breeze through the Giants in the ninth inning. The 27-year-old has posted a 2.16 ERA with 11 saves since officially taking over as the Padres' closer July 23. He owns an impressive 23:5 K:BB ratio over that 15-game span.

Hand picked up his 12th save of the season Thursday, striking out two batters while allowing one run against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

While it wasn't pretty, as Hand served up a leadoff home run to Randal Grichuk to shrink San Diego's lead to one run, the lefty did manage to settle down to secure the victory Thursday. He induced a flyout from Carson Kelly before fanning Stephen Piscotty and Kolten Wong to close things out. Aside from a three-run meltdown in Cincinnati on August 10th, Hand hadn't allowed a run since June 14 (27 games) entering Thursday. Hand remains one of the more reliable closers in the game right now and he has a firm hold on the job despite Thursday's hiccup to Grichuk.

Hand pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts against the Nationals on Saturday en route to his 11th save of the season.

EDGE Analysis

He retired the side in order on 13 pitches, preserving the win for starter Travis Wood. Hand has distanced himself from his recent three-run hiccup, and that outing was an aberration anyway -- he has been scored upon just that one time in his last 26 appearances.

Hand worked around a hit to earn his 10th save with a scoreless ninth inning Monday against Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Hand has now struck out at least one batter in 18 straight appearances. He has 30 strikeouts in 19 innings over that stretch with a 1.42 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. Hand has more than earned the closer's job in San Diego, and he is now a solid 8-of-9 in the role.

Hand converted a four-out save, his ninth, and struck out three in Friday's win over the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Hand bounced back strong from his Wednesday's blown save against the Reds, his first since assuming the closer's role in late July. Despite that three-run disaster, Hand owns a 2.23 ERA. Now at 8-for-9 in save opportunities since taking the job, Hand is making a strong case to become San Diego's closer of the future.

Hand gave up three runs on a pair of home runs and a walk in two-thirds of an inning against the Reds on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Called upon to replace Kirby Yates in the seventh inning with the Padres clinging to a one-run lead, Hand walked Joey Votto and then allowed a grand slam to Scooter Gennett. With that, Hand's nearly two-month long scoreless streak was snapped, and he promptly gave up another long ball to Eugenio Suarez. Hand has been excellent throughout most of the year and it's clear he's the preferred ninth-inning option, but manager Andy Green seems comfortable using Hand earlier in the game if he feels the situation warrants it.

Hand pitched a perfect inning while striking out one to earn his eighth save Saturday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Hand was protecting a three-run lead, and needed just 12 pitches to shut down the Pirates. Since moving to the closer role on July 23, he's converted each of his five save opportunities, and on the season he owns a 1.93 ERA to go along with a 0.93 WHIP.

Hand struck out two in a perfect ninth Tuesday against Minnesota, recording his seventh save.

EDGE Analysis

Widely rumored to be on the move ahead of the trade deadline, the veteran lefty has instead stuck around in San Diego, where he'll continue to serve as the closer; he's converted saves in his last five appearances, allowing just a single hit in that span. Fantasy owners who plucked him off the wire certainly won't complain -- why bite the Hand that feeds you?

Hand struck out two in a perfect ninth Tuesday against Minnesota, recording his seventh save.

EDGE Analysis

Widely rumored to be on the move ahead of the trade deadline, the veteran lefty has instead stuck around in San Diego, where he'll continue to serve as the closer; he's converted saves in his last five appearances, allowing just a single hit in that span. Fantasy owners who plucked him off the wire certainly won't complain -- why bite the Hand that feeds you?

Hand was not dealt prior to Monday's non-waiver trade deadline.

EDGE Analysis

The Padres ended up hanging on to their dominant lefty after not receiving the return they hoped for in the trade market. This news means that Hand and his sparkling 2.00 ERA will continue to close games out in San Diego for the remainder of the season. While a trade through waivers is still possible, it is highly unlikely given the fact that other clubs would surely place claims on the 27-year-old and his affordable contract ($1.4 million plus two years of control), which would effectively block any potential move.