Strickland picked up the save Sunday against St. Louis, tossing a perfect ninth inning in a 6-3 victory.

EDGE Analysis

Strickland got Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman and Tommy Edman to pop out in foul territory and needed just nine pitches to close out the game. It was his first save since June 28 and first save opportunity since blowing consecutive chances at the beginning of July. He and Alexis Diaz will likely continue to receive the bulk of the save chances for Cincinnati.

Strickland allowed three runs on three hits -- including a home run -- over one inning Saturday against the Cardinals. He did not record a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Lars Nootbaar turned the game into a laugher with his three-run shot off Strickland in the eighth inning. The 33-year-old Strickland remains tied for the team lead in saves with four, but he now has a 5.40 ERA and 1.65 WHIP this season. Manager David Bell figures to turn to Alexis Diaz and other younger players for saves more in the second half.

Strickland gave up a run on two hits in an inning of relief to blow his second save of the season in Wednesday's 8-3 extra-inning loss to the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Tasked with protecting a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning, Strickland instead gave up a run-scoring double to Starling Marte to send the game to extras, when Dauri Moreta completely imploded. Strickland has blown his last two save chances and has a 5.34 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 26:18 K:BB through 28.2 innings on the year, but Cincinnati doesn't have a clear alternative for closing situations at the moment.

Strickland (2-2) picked up the win in Tuesday's 1-0 victory over the Mets, pitching a perfect ninth inning without a walk or a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander entered a scoreless tie in the top of the ninth and needed only nine pitches (seven strikes) to knife through the bottom of the Mets' order. Strickland then got rewarded when Mike Moustakas brought home Tommy Pham with a sacrifice fly in the Reds' half of the frame. Strickland has two wins and two saves in his last four appearances, but the other win came as a result of a blown save. Despite his current assignment as Cincinnati's closer, his job security seems very low -- he carries a 5.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through nine innings since the beginning of June, and that ERA doesn't account for three unearned runs.

Strickland picked up the save Tuesday against the Cubs. He allowed one hit and zero walks while striking out one over one scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Strickland has now earned both of the Reds' last two saves and three of the team's last four. Granted it took injuries to Tony Santillan (back), Alexis Diaz (biceps) and Lucas Sims (back) to get him there, but for his part Strickland has pitched well since the end of April. Diaz may return as soon as this weekend, but manager David Bell could opt to reward Strickland for the stability he has provided lately and keep him in the ninth inning.

Manager David Bell intimated Sunday that Strickland is the Reds' preferred closing option, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "Hunter is definitely somebody that likes [closing games]," Bell said. "He thrives on it. In some ways, I think the bigger the situation, the better pitcher he's going to be. It may not always be the ninth, but I'm definitely aware of that and it works in his favor to keep getting those opportunities."

EDGE Analysis

Alexis Diaz (biceps) and Tony Santillan (back) recently joined Lucas Sims (back) on the injured list, with their absences thrusting Strickland into a more prominent role out of necessity. Strickland, who claimed the Reds' most recent save chance in Friday's win over the Giants, looks like he could operate as the team's primary ninth-inning option, at least until the Reds add some healthy arms back into the mix. Of the three injured relievers, Diaz looks to be the closest to a return; he threw a bullpen session Sunday and could be activated from the IL on Friday when first eligible.

Strickland saved Friday's 4-2 win against the Giants, recording a walk and strikeout apiece in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

With Alexis Diaz (biceps) and Tony Santillan (back) both sidelined, manager David Bell turned to Strickland for the save and the righty delivered against his former team. The 33-year-old was able to work around a two-out walk and has now logged each of Cincinnati's last two saves, though he possesses an uninspiring 5.11 ERA and 1.74 WHIP with 18 walks and 24 strikeouts in 24.2 innings.

Strickland earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Monday, pitching a perfect ninth inning during which he struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds have deployed a variety of closers this season, with five different pitchers notching at least one save. Alexis Diaz was the ninth-inning option of choice the day prior, but manager David Bell turned to Strickland on Monday with Cincinnati up by a run. The veteran came through to earn the save, needing only 12 pitches to retire the side in order. Strickland has previous closing experience -- he saved 14 games for San Francisco in 2018 -- so it's feasible that he could eventually move to the front of the pack for the Reds' closer role. However, the right-hander hasn't exactly impressed this season, posting a 5.73 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and ugly 21:17 K:BB across 22 innings.

Strickland picked up the save Wednesday against the Cubs. He allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

With Lucas Sims (back) on the 15-day injured list, Strickland earned his first save chance of the season. The veteran was shaky and allowed the tying run to reach third base, but he ultimately got the job done by striking out Christopher Morel. Tony Santillan, Alexis Diaz and Art Warren have all registered saves in Sims' recent absence, but the trio served as set-up men for Strickland on Wednesday. Cincinnati's closing situation will likely continue to be handled by a committee until Sims returns to the team.

Strickland allowed a run on two hits and two walks in Thursday's loss to the Padres, pitching with a three-run deficit in the seventh inning.

EDGE Analysis

At one point Strickland was considered to be a candidate to close for the Reds, but he has a 9.82 ERA and 2.73 WHIP in 7.1 innings. The two walks on Thursday give him a whopping 11 walks so far. Even if the Reds had won more than three games so far, Strickland would be pretty far from closing out games right now.