Hand struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Thursday to record his seventh save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to breeze through the bottom of the Bucs' order. Hand has had some bumpy spots this season, and his 4.70 ERA is actually softened by a couple of unearned runs, but he has yet to blow a save and his 12:4 K:BB through 7.2 innings indicates he can still dominate. His grip on the closer role in Cleveland isn't slipping quite yet.

Hand allowed one hit but struck out the side to record the save Tuesday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Hand entered the game with a three-run lead in the 10th inning. Even with a runner starting on second base, he held the Pirates scoreless, inducing two swinging strikeouts. After early season struggles, Hand has not allowed an earned run in any of his last five outings -- spanning 4.1 innings. He now has six saves and has generated 10 punchouts across 6.2 frames for the season.

Hand gave up an unearned run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning Saturday but still came away with his fifth save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

The error was a catcher's interference call on Sandy Leon that put Jonathan Schoop on base, setting up a two-out double by JaCoby Jones for Detroit's only run of the night. Hand is not the same dominant reliever he was a couple years ago in San Diego, or even in the first half of last season, but despite his 6.35 ERA he has yet to blow a save in 2020 and maintains a tenuous hold on the closer role in Cleveland.

Hand worked around a walk in a scoreless ninth inning against the Reds on Wednesday en route to his fourth save of the season. He struck out two batters.

EDGE Analysis

The closer carousel is in full swing in MLB, though Hand seems to be regaining his footing in the role after closing out back-to-back games. James Karinchak is breathing down Hand's neck, but it's clear that Hand is still the preferred option in the ninth.

Hand struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning against the Reds on Tuesday en route to his third save of the season.

EDGE Analysis

There was some uncertainty regarding Hand's role after he took the loss July 29 and then gave way to James Karinchak in a save situation a day later. It's easy to see that Karinchak is the closer of the future for Cleveland, but apparently that future is not here quite yet. Hand can ill afford another stumble in the short term if he's to keep Karinchak at bay.

Hand earned the save in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox after allowing one run on two hits while recording one strikeout during the ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander gave up a leadoff double to Tim Anderson but retired the next two batters, only to surrender an RBI single to Yasmani Grandal. Hand earned a save in both his appearances this season and has allowed one run on two hits and zero walks while striking out four over two frames.

Hand is expected to lean heavily on his slider in 2020 out of the closer's role, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hand secured 34 saves (five blown saves) in 2019 over 57.1 innings, fanning 84 batters while registering a 3.30 ERA over that stretch. Per Hoynes, Hand threw 512 of 946 pitches for sliders a season ago, and that's not expected to change in 2020. He'll have the closer's role locked down whenever the season begins.

Hand is taking more trips to the training room in an effort to keep his arm fresh, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hand started the 2019 campaign in exceptional form, converting his first 22 save chances successfully while holding opposing batters to a .161 batting average. However, he faltered once the calendar flipped to July, blowing four saves in 15 chances while posting a 4.91 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. Hand noted that his high volume -- he's made 283 appearances across the last four seasons -- may be catching up to him, so he's taken more care to keep his arm fresh this spring.

Hand struck out all three of the batters he faced on Saturday against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Hand hadn't taken the mound in game action since Sept. 8, but returned to pitch in the sixth inning with the Indians down two. He showed no signs of rust, striking out the side on 13 pitches -- six of which generated swinging strikes. It remains to be seen how long the team plans to leave Hand out of the closer's role, though this outing certainly indicates he's close to full strength.

Hand (arm) is available to pitch again Saturday but will not pitch in a save situation, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Terry Francona said Hand "looked himself" in a bullpen session Wednesday, but apparently the skipper still needs to see Hand do it in a game once or twice before reinstalling him in the ninth. Adam Cimber, Oliver Perez and Carlos Carrasco have gotten the Indians' last three saves. Nick Wittgren and James Karinchak are also candidates to get the ball in high-leverage situations.