McFarland (3-1) allowed two earned runs on two hits over one inning to take the loss against the Reds on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Just 24 hours after extending his scoreless streak to 18 appearances while garnering his seventh hold in a win over the Dodgers, McFarland saw his run come to an end and took his first loss of the season in the process. The left-hander was only able to retire one of the first four batters he faced in the ninth inning, failing to preserve a 2-2 tie and allowing the game's final two runs. Despite the stumble, McFarland should continue to see his fair share of hold opportunities over the balance of the regular season.

McFarland recorded his sixth hold in a loss to the Brewers on Sunday, firing two-thirds scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland needed exactly two pitches to record both his outs and close out the sixth inning. The veteran southpaw continues on an extended roll that's seen him coax his ERA and WHIP down to 1.52 and 0.93, respectively, while posting 17 consecutive scoreless appearances.

McFarland secured his fourth hold in a loss to the Pirates on Sunday, firing 1.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed no hits and one walk while also recording a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland lowered his ERA to a sparkling 1.71 with Sunday's effort, his 14th consecutive scoreless outing. The 32-year-old's recent form coupled with his ability to work multiple frames on occasion makes him an increasingly valuable relief asset as the season enters its stretch run.

McFarland (3-0) pitched a scoreless, hitless inning 10th inning while walking a batter, earning the win in Wednesday's 3-2, extra-inning victory over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty has excelled in 12 appearances this month, pitching 12 scoreless innings of relief with eight strikeouts, two wins and two holds. Alex Reyes, Giovanny Gallegos and Genesis Cabrera are the Cardinals' primary, high-leverage options, but McFarland's scoreless month to date suggests he's leapt up the bullpen depth chart and may take opportunities from Andrew Miller and Luis Garcia going forward.

McFarland (2-0) allowed no hits and a walk in a scoreless third inning to earn the win over the Pirates on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland has performed quite well in the month of August, as he's allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two in 5.1 scoreless frames across his five appearances since the month began. He entered Thursday's game after starter Wade LeBlanc (elbow) was removed, and he picked up his second win of the year in the 7-6 victory.

McFarland, who fired a scoreless eighth inning in a loss to the Royals on Sunday, has an unblemished ERA over the 4.1 innings covering his four August appearances.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever has allowed just one hit and garnered one hold during that span, although he's also rang up just two strikeouts. McFarland has largely proven effective in what are typically lower-leverage scenarios thus far in St. Louis, pitching to a 3.27 ERA and 0.82 WHIP across 11 innings overall (10 appearances).

McFarland fired a scoreless eighth inning during which he issued a walk and recorded a strikeout during a win over the Cubs on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander has quickly taken to his new St. Louis digs, now putting together three straight scoreless appearances and notching both a win and Thursday's hold along the way. McFarland has already made four trips to the mound in less than a week with the Cardinals, which would seem to bode well for fantasy managers who've taken a flyer on him in deep formats.

McFarland (1-0) won Wednesday's 3-2 contest with the Cubs, pitching a scoreless 10th while allowing a walk.

EDGE Analysis

After John Gant permitted a Javier Baez single to lead off the 10th, McFarland entered and induced a momentum-killing double play followed by an intentional walk and a fly out to neutralize the threat. When St. Louis scored in the bottom of the inning, the lefty became the winner. This was McFarland's first win of the season in only his third appearance.

McFarland's contract was selected by the Cardinals on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland joined the Cardinals on a split contract at the end of June. He'll give the team another left-handed option out of the bullpen, but he's unlikely to be of much interest in most fantasy formats. It would be a surprise to see him pitching in high-leverage innings, and he gets very few strikeouts, whiffing 13.6 percent of opposing batters over the course of his eight-year career.

McFarland agreed to a split contract with the Cardinals on Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old was granted his release by the Nationals earlier Wednesday, and he apparently had a deal with the Cardinals lined up. McFarland struggled in 18 appearances at Triple-A Rochester with a 5.25 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 26:5 K:BB over 24 innings. He'll report to Triple-A Memphis for his new organization.