Kimbrel (6-6) earned the win over Arizona on Thursday despite allowing one run on one hit, one walk and one hit batsman over one inning. After the contest, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he'll "think through" the ninth-inning role and "figure out what's best for the ball club," per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel came into the contest with the game tied 1-1 in the ninth inning, so it wasn't a save situation. He hit Jake McCarthy with a pitch to begin the frame but had some good fortune when replay determined that McCarthy was tagged out on a stolen-base attempt after initially being called safe. Kimbrel couldn't capitalize on that big call, however, as the next batter -- Christian Walker -- tagged him for a go-ahead solo homer. Kimbrel remained in the contest and issued a two-out walk before finishing off the frame, and he earned the victory when the Dodgers scored twice in the bottom of the ninth. Kimbrel has been shaky of late, allowing at least one run in three of his past four appearances. Roberts' postgame comments suggest that the veteran closer isn't guaranteed to remain in the ninth-inning role as the Dodgers look ahead to what they hope will be a deep postseason run.

Kimbrel (5-6) earned the extra-inning win over the Giants on Sunday, pitching a perfect inning with one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel worked the ninth inning to keep the game tied, and the Dodgers took the lead in the 10th. The right-hander hadn't pitched since blowing a save Wednesday versus the Diamondbacks, but it appears that outing was a speed bump and the not the start of another slump. Kimbrel has a 3.96 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 64:22 K:BB through 52.1 innings while adding 22 saves in 27 chances.

Kimbrel (4-6) took the loss and blew a save in an extra-inning affair against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

After the Dodgers scored a run in the top of the 10th frame, Kimbrel was called upon to close the door. He walked the first batter he faced but retired the next two hitters before giving up a walkoff three-run home run to Sergio Alcantara. Kimbrel had been pitching well coming into Wednesday, allowing no earned runs and only one hit over his previous nine outings, though only two of those were save situations. Los Angeles has already clinched the NL West and holds the best record in the majors, but Kimbrel's inconsistency is cause for concern as the team heads toward the postseason. The veteran has posted a 4.03 ERA and 1.36 WHIP while taking six losses and blowing five saves through 54 appearances on the campaign.

Kimbrel pitched a perfect inning with zero strikeouts to earn the save in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel has strung together a 7.1-inning scoreless streak, though this was just his second save in that span and his first since Aug. 17. The 34-year-old has been deployed in more non-save situations of late, with Evan Phillips and Chris Martin among the relievers who have seen higher-leverage work. Kimbrel now has a 3.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 62:21 K:BB with 22 saves in 26 chances through 48.2 innings this year.

Kimbrel failed to strike out any batters in a perfect ninth inning during Sunday's 10-3 win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel has been inconsistent since the start of August, posting a 4.91 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 7.1 innings over eight appearances this month. Although he picked up his 21st save of the season Wednesday, he was utilized during Sunday's blowout win. Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that he won't exclusively utilize Kimbrel in save situations anymore since the team wants to focus on getting him regular work, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports. However, Roberts has expressed a commitment to using Kimbrel as the team's primary closer, and he'll be available in a potential save situation Monday against the Brewers since Roberts feels comfortable using Kimbrel on back-to-back days.

Kimbrel earned a save against the Brewers on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk in a perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

As has been the case often this season, Kimbrel didn't slide by easily. After retiring the first two batters he faced, the right-hander allowed a single and a walk to put the tying and winning runs on base. However, he was able to get Luis Urias to ground into a fielder's choice to end the contest. This was an important outing for Kimbrel after he allowed an earned run in each of his previous three appearances and blew a save his last time on the mound. Despite the recent hiccups, manager Dave Roberts has expressed a commitment to stick to Kimbrel as the team's closer, and it's worth nothing that the veteran pitcher has converted an acceptable 84 percent of his save chances on the campaign.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday after the team's 5-4 loss to the Brewers in 11 innings that Kimbrel will retain the closing gig despite blowing his fourth save of the season, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel was also dealt his fifth loss of the season after yielding two runs (one earned) and recording just one out Tuesday, which marked the third consecutive appearance in which he yielded an earned run. Though he's arguably the top closer of his generation, the 34-year-old Kimbrel has been one of the few squeaky wheels on an otherwise stacked roster for the 80-35 Dodgers. He now sports a 4.57 ERA and 1.55 WHIP on the season, and if not for his extensive closing experience, Kimbrel may have been removed from the role already. Kimbrel looks like he'll get at least another chance or two to right the ship, but fantasy managers preparing for a possible change at closer down the line may want to look to setup man Evan Phillips, who has gathered one save and 11 holds while turning in an 0.32 ERA and 0.61 WHIP for the Dodgers since the beginning of June.

Kimbrel (3-5) suffered the loss and blown save during Tuesday's 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Brewers, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out one in one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel was brought in for the bottom the 11th after Los Angeles took the lead in the top of the inning and struggled to find the zone, walking one and firing only 11 of 20 pitches for strikes. A leadoff Hunter Renfroe single and one-out Luis Urias walk set the stage for a two-run Victor Caratini single to saddle the 24-year-old with the blown save and loss on the same pitch. Kimbrel has struggled since the calendar turned to August, surrendering five total runs across 5.1 innings this month including permitting runs in four of his last five appearances. Lack of a clear better option in the Dodger's bullpen may be the only thing keeping Kimbrel and his 4.57 ERA in the closer role.

Kimbrel allowed one earned run on one hit while striking out one to earn the save Thursday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel was handed a three-run lead in the ninth inning and managed to hang on to record his 20th save of the season. He has successfully converted his last six chances and turned in eight scoreless efforts across 10 total appearances since July 9. Kimbrel has a subpar 4.26 ERA with a 54:16 K:BB across 38 innings on the season, though he continues to have a firm grasp on the closer role in Los Angeles.

Kimbrel earned a save over the Giants on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

As has been the case more often than not of late, Kimbrel didn't make things look easy. He allowed three straight batters to reach base (via a walk, single and hit-by-pitch) with one out but managed to wiggle out of the jam and emerge with the save. Kimbrel has allowed at least one baserunner in each of his past seven outings but is nonetheless 4-for-4 in converting save chances over that stretch.