Givens struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his second save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Closer David Robertson pitched Saturday and Sunday, but his absence from this game will undoubtedly spur more trade rumors around the 37-year-old. Instead it was Givens who got the call in a save situation -- perhaps to showcase him for a deal to a contender, or perhaps as an audition for the closer role if Robertson does get moved -- and he breezed through the middle of Pittsburgh's batting order. The right-hander has six wins and six holds this season in addition to his saves, and he hasn't allowed an earned run in 15 straight appearances, posting a 0.98 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB through 16.1 innings over that impressive stretch.

Givens (6-2) worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win Monday against the Pirates. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Givens got into some trouble and needed 24 pitches to work through the eighth inning, but the righty managed his 14th straight outing without allowing an earned run. His six wins this season are actually second on the team, which is a bit of good luck but also indicative of the struggles of Chicago's rotation. Either way, Givens has been able to deliver some fantasy value from the bullpen despite not serving as the team's closer, though it's hard to count on the wins to keep coming.

Givens allowed four runs without recording an out during Tuesday's loss to the Padres. He gave up one hit and three walks.

EDGE Analysis

Givens replaced Scott Effross after the latter allowed consecutive singles to start the seventh inning. Givens promptly allowed a walk, a double and two more walks before getting the hook. It was easily the worst outing of the season for the righty, who saw his ERA climb from 3.09 to 4.63 in the process. Givens' track record suggests he'll bounce back, though it may take a little while for his ERA to come back down below 4.00.

Givens (3-0) recorded two outs in relief and earned the win Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Givens has now earned a win in each of his last two appearances despite allowing two earned runs on three hits across 1.2 innings. That's given the righty a 3.38 ERA for the season, which is in line with the 3.35 ERA he posted last year. Expect similar results for Givens moving forward, though he's unlikely to keep picking up wins at this rate. With David Robertson on the COVID-19 injured list, Givens could also see some save opportunities in the near future, though Rowan Wick earned the save Saturday.

Givens (2-0) allowed two runs on two hits in an inning of work but managed to earn the win Wednesday against the Padres. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Givens allowed two solo home runs in the seventh inning and was charged with his second blown save of the season, but the righty earned the win when the Cubs scored twice in the top of the eighth. With David Robertson on the injured list for undisclosed reasons, which fits the pattern teams have used when a player lands on the COVID-19 injured list, it was Rowan Wick who saw end-game work Wednesday. The situation could be fluid until Robertson returns, but it appears that Givens will set up Wick.

Givens recorded a save against the Rockies on Thursday, pitching a scoreless inning during which he allowed one hit and struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was summoned in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead and did so successfully, working around a one-out single to post a scoreless frame. He struck out two in the outing, giving him seven punchouts over 3.1 frames to begin the season. David Robertson picked up the first two saves of the campaign for the Cubs, but he wasn't called upon Thursday despite not pitching the previous day. It's possible that manager David Ross will use a committee to close out games this season, with Robertson and Givens appearing to be the early frontrunners for save opportunities.

Chicago manager David Ross may use multiple pitchers to close out games this season, which could put Givens in the mix for saves, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Givens had eight saves a season ago with the Reds and Rockies, and had 11 back in 2019 with the Orioles, so he has some experience in the closer role. Rowan Wick is the presumptive favorite to lead the Cubs in save opportunities early on, but the 31-year-old Givens certainly appears to be in the mix and could earn a bigger share of ninth-inning work if he pitches well to start the year.

Givens signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Givens served as a late reliever for the Reds and Rockies in 2021 and posted a 3.35 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 51 innings across 54 relief appearances. During that time, he converted eight of 11 save opportunities and racked up 11 holds. Rowan Wick converted five of eight save chances last year and entered spring training as the favorite to serve as the Cubs' closer, but Givens will have the chance to compete for ninth-inning duties ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Givens (4-3) earned the win in relief Saturday against the Nationals after tossing a scoreless inning. He didn't record a walk or strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Givens entered the game to pitch the ninth inning with the game tied 6-6, and he was able to deliver when it mattered the most -- he tossed just six of his 11 pitches for strikes but still retired the side with a groundout, a popout and a flyout. The right-hander bounced back from his previous outing, when he gave up three runs in just two-thirds of an inning, and that has been the lone instance in which he's given up runs over his last four contests.

Givens allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in Friday's win over Washington. He recorded two outs, including one strikeout, and was charged with a blown save.

EDGE Analysis

Givens entered a 7-4 game and quickly retired the first two batters he faced. He then coughed up three runs, including a two-run single by Luis Garcia. The 31-year-old is now 8-for-11 in save chances this season with a 3.12 ERA through 49 innings.