Kimbrel (3-4) worked around one hit and struck out three over a scoreless seventh inning to pick up the win over Kansas City on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel came on the seventh inning because that's when a potential threat loomed. Salvador Perez, who had homered twice already, was due up fourth, and manager Tony La Russa wanted Kimbrel to face him if a runner got on. After Kimbrel fanned the first two batters, Nicky Lopez singled to left on a check swing, bringing Perez to the plate. Kimbrel threw one fastball among the five pitches thrown, none in the strike zone, and got Perez to chase three of them. It was just the second time all season that Kimbrel has pitched in the seventh inning.

Kimbrel (undisclosed) will likely be available for Friday's game against the Royals, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel wasn't available for Wednesday's win over the Pirates due to an undisclosed physical issue, but manager Tony La Russa said the right-hander would likely receive the save opportunity if necessary Friday. Across his last five appearances, the 33-year-old has allowed five runs in 4.2 innings.

Manager Tony La Russa said Kimbrel was unavailable for Wednesday's win over the Pirates due to an unspecified physical issue, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

La Russa specified that it's not an arm injury, and it appears to be a minor concern since Kimbrel is expected to be available for Friday's series opener in Kansas City. Liam Hendriks was called upon for a five-out save Wednesday with Kimbrel unavailable.

Kimbrel tossed a clean eighth inning allowing no baserunners while striking out one in Tuesday's win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

The 33-year-old was able to pick up a hold and avoid giving up any runs in the contest, something he'd only done twice in his previous six outings . He has struggled since joining the White Sox at the trade deadline, surrendering nine earned runs in 11.1 innings pitched after he had only given up a total of two earned runs in 37.2 innings for the Cubs prior to getting dealt. Some of his struggles could be attributed to his new role as a setup man which he is unfamiliar with.

Kimbrel allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn save Thursday against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel returned to the closer role, with Liam Hendriks likely unavailable for the game. Kimbrel took advantage of the opportunity, as the only baserunner he allowed came on a two-out single. He now has 24 saves on the season, though this was his first since joining the White Sox. Kimbrel will likely return to a setup role moving forward, though Hendriks has a 7.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP -- albeit with a 17:2 K:BB -- across nine innings in August.

Kimbrel could operate as the closer Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Liam Hendriks, the team's primary closer, was unavailable Wednesday after throwing 39 pitches to close out the final five outs of Tuesday's win over the Blue Jays. The manager said it was possible Hendriks would be avoided for Thursday afternoon's series finale. Kimbrel was targeted to pitch the ninth Wednesday, but a save situation did not present itself.

Kimbrel was traded from the Cubs to the White Sox in exchange for Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer on Friday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel will head south along the Red Line in one of the biggest deals of the deadline. The landing spot is one of the few that could potentially hurt Kimbrel's fantasy value, as it's unclear whether it will be him or Liam Hendriks who receives most of the save chances for the White Sox. Kimbrel owns an incredible 0.49 ERA and 46.7 percent strikeout rate this season, both of which beat Hendriks' 2.58 ERA and 41.0 percent strikeout rate, but Hendriks was dominant in each of the previous two seasons while Kimbrel had easily the worst two years of his 12-year career. The initial plan is to have the two split the ninth inning, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Kimbrel (2-3) earned the win Monday against the Reds after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and one walk while fanning three.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel pitched the top of the ninth when the game was tied 5-5, and while he allowed two baserunners, he also struck out the side and set the stage for the Cubs' comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Kimbrel has now gone 23 straight appearances without giving up an earned run, and his ERA stands at a minuscule 0.49, accompanied by an equally impressive 0.71 WHIP.

Kimbrel retired a single batter to secure the save in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago started the ninth inning with Dillon Maples, but he allowed a run and put another two runners on base with two outs, so the Cubs turned to Kimbrel to end the threat. The veteran reliever now has 23 saves this season in 25 chances, and he has an elite 0.50 ERA. After down years in 2019 and 2020, Kimbrel has reclaimed his spot as a top fantasy option.

Kimbrel (1-3) took the loss in Wednesday's 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Cardinals, allowing an unearned run on a hit and walk with one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel came in for the 10th in a tie game and walked Nolan Arenado before recording an out and allowing a walk-off single to Yadier Molina. This was Kimbrel's first loss since way back on May 15 and only the second loss in his last 21 appearances for Chicago.