On August 5, the Cincinnati Reds bullpen set a franchise record. In a home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Reds reliever Mychal Givens became the 10th Reds reliever to pick up a save in 2021.
Since that game against the Pirates, Givens has split the closer role with Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen. This wasn’t a change in bullpen strategy by Reds manager David Bell, but instead a continuation of what he has been doing all season.
“I see it the same way, I still see (the ninth inning) as very important,” Bell said. “You want one of your best pitchers pitching in that situation, there’s no question.