Littell allowed three runs on four hits and struck out one in one inning versus Pittsburgh on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Littell entered Saturday with a scoreless streak of 6.1 innings, but Pittsburgh rallied against him in the eighth inning of a lopsided contest. The right-hander hadn't allowed multiple runs in an appearance since June 15, which was one of his two turns as an opener this season. Overall, he has a 3.44 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB across 34 innings while adding five holds in 38 outings.

Littell walked one and struck out one in a scoreless inning during Friday's 5-3 win over Washington. He earned a hold.

EDGE Analysis

Littell has settled in a bit since a disastrous turn as an opener June 15. In his 11 appearances since then, the reliever has a 2.89 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 5:5 K:BB across 9.1 innings. The right-hander continues to see low-leverage assignments mostly, but he's now picked up five holds with a 3.25 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 27.2 innings this year. With a 4.65 FIP, Littell may struggle to continue producing similar results.

Littell pitched a perfect inning in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Since an ugly turn as an opener June 15 versus Arizona, Littell has bounced back relatively well. He's allowed two runs on three hits and three walks in six innings across his last seven outings. The right-hander has been reasonably effective in a low-leverage role with a 3.33 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB across 24.1 innings. However, Littell may not be able to sustain those ratios -- a .235 BABIP has helped limit the damage against him so far this year.

Littell allowed four runs on four hits and two walks without recording an out Tuesday against Arizona. He did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

The Diamondbacks couldn't have asked for a better offensive start in the contest, collecting four singles and a pair of walks while scoring four times before Littell was lifted without recording an out. The right-hander was working as an opener and wasn't expected to pitch very long, but his inability to retire any batters still qualifies as a disaster despite the fact that the Giants eventually came back to win. It remains to be seen how Littell will be deployed going forward, though it wouldn't be surprising if he's no longer asked to open games given the outcome Tuesday.

The Giants announced that Littell will serve as their opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though the team didn't say so officially, Sam Long will almost certainly serve as the primary pitcher behind Littell after the two were effective while working in succession June 9 in Texas. After Littell tossed a scoreless first inning, Long followed with four innings of one-run ball. The Giants likely won't ask Littell to record more than three to six outs Tuesday before he gives way to Long.

Littell allowed a walk and struck out one in one inning as the opener in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to Texas. He did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Littell got the game going in a positive manner with a fairly strong inning. Wednesday was his first major-league start since 2018. He's been an effective option out of the bullpen with a 1.56 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB across 17.1 innings this season. The 25-year-old has also picked up four holds, but he remains behind at least Tyler Rogers and Jake McGee when it comes to closing duties.

Littell will start Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Littell will make his first start of the season Wednesday, and he's unlikely to cover more than an inning or two since he has yet to complete two full frames in an appearance in 2020. Sam Long is expected to be promoted from Triple-A and is a likely candidate to follow as the bulk reliever.

Littell allowed two runs on two hits and struck out two in one inning of Sunday's 5-4 win over the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Sunday's outing was just the second time in 15 appearances the right-hander has allowed runs this season. He gave up a two-run home run to Max Muncy in the eighth inning. Littell has been an effective part of San Francisco's bullpen with a 1.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He's added four holds -- he's in the mix for high-leverage work, although Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers are expected to handle the vast majority of the closing duties.

Littell allowed a run on two hits and struck out one in one inning to earn a hold in Tuesday's 4-2 win over Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander gave up a solo home run to Nick Castellanos and a single to Tyler Naquin in the eighth inning. Littell has started to feature in high-leverage work with three holds in his last four outings. The homer Tuesday was the first run he's allowed in 7.2 innings, and he's added a 1.17 WHIP and 5:3 K:BB in nine appearances. The 25-year-old isn't likely to challenge for save opportunities -- Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers have filled that role for San Francisco this season.

Littell allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn a hold in Thursday's 3-1 win over Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Littell has holds in each of his last two appearances. The 25-year-old right-hander has yet to allow a run across five innings. He's only given up two hits and three walks while striking out three in that span. Littell probably won't yet challenge for save opportunities. His 4.29 FIP suggests regression could be a factor, although he should still be a fairly effective bullpen option.