Hand tossed a clean inning while picking up his third save in as many days in a 3-2 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old has acclimated well to closing games in San Diego, going 3-for-3 in save opportunities since taking over for the traded Brandon Maurer. The Padres continue to listen to offers for the dominant lefty, which could lead to a deal prior to Monday's trade deadline. A move may land Hand in a situation where he isn't closing games anymore, but that shouldn't stop fantasy owners from taking advantage of his recent outburst of saves.

Hand struck out two batters during a scoreless ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the season during Thursday's win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Now locked into the closer role for San Diego with Brandon Maurer out of the picture, Hand has tremendous fantasy upside moving forward. He owns an elite 2.04 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 11.7 K/9 for the campaign, and the 27-year-old lefty has now converted three consecutive save opportunities.

Hand struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to pick up his fourth save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander continues to impress, and Hand hasn't allowed a run in 9.1 July innings with a 16:2 K:BB. Assuming he isn't traded before the deadline, he seems ready to settle into the Padres' closer role.

Hand is the front-runner to take over as the Padres' closer following Monday's trade that sent Brandon Maurer to Kansas City, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Andy Green didn't officially name a replacement for Maurer following the trade, but Hand's dominance and short-term success in the role (three saves this season) makes him the the clear favorite. The 27-year-old has been dominant through 51 innings, posting a 2.12 ERA and 2.69 FIP to go along with an elite 11.6 K/9. The southpaw's solid ratios and potential for saves make him a hot pickup, but there is a strong chance that Hand himself will be moved before next week's trade deadline, which could land him in a situation where he will no longer be a closer.

Hand struck out one in a perfect ninth inning for his third save Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Hand's 16 holds show that he's usually used before the ninth inning, but his ability to put this game away with ease makes the lefty even more intriguing for the myriad teams looking for bullpen help as the July 31 trade deadline approaches. He has put a 16.1-inning scoreless stretch together over his past 16 appearances amid swirling trade rumors.

Hand didn't allow a run over an inning while converting his 15th hold of the season in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

The dominant lefty danced around three base runners to extend his scoreless streak to 14.1 innings. Hand has been a great source of holds while helping fantasy owners' ratios. The 27-year-old's name has been involved in several trade rumors, but a move away from pitcher-friendly Petco Park likely won't alter his value much, as his elite 4.4 K/BB and 1.44 ERA on the road indicate that could pitch successfully in any venue.

Hand (2-4) struck out three over 1.1 innings Friday, finishing as the winning pitcher of record over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old was actually charged with a blown save after he allowed two of Phil Maton's baserunners to come home. The runs didn't affect Hand's 2.30 ERA, so fantasy owners simply benefited from him picking up the victory. The dominant southpaw has improved on his breakout 2016 campaign, earning the first All-Star appearance of his career.

Hand tossed a clean eighth inning Wednesday, picking up his 12th hold in a 7-4 win over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever struggled earlier this month, giving up six runs over his first four June appearances, but he has settled down since, firing eight scoreless innings and picking up four holds in the process. Brandon Maurer -- despite carrying a 6.32 ERA -- has been effective in save situations, but Hand would be next in line should the Padres' closer falter down the stretch.

Hand struck out two over a scoreless inning on the way to his eighth hold of the season Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Despite posting far better results, it appears Hand has fully moved back into his usual setup role in San Diego with Brandon Maurer converting the team's last five saves. While his run as the team's closer was short lived, he is the clear favorite to assume the role should Maurer and his 6.48 ERA falter again.

Hand struck out a pair of batters over 1.2 perfect innings en route to his sixth hold of the season Monday.

EDGE Analysis

After it appeared that the veteran lefty had taken over as San Diego's closer, manager Andy Green decided to roll with Brandon Maurer in the ninth for the second consecutive game. Hand has been the better reliever this season (1.82 ERA to Maurer's 6.00 ERA), but the Padres' skipper wasn't kidding when he said he would play matchups going forward. The 27-year-old still holds value due to his ability to rack up strikeouts (11.5 K/9) and convert the occasional save, but this is a closer situation that has clearly not settled quite yet.