Hicks earned a save Sunday, working around one run on two hits in the 6-4 win over the Reds.
Hicks has allowed seven runs over the last 3.1 innings, bringing his ERA up from 2.42 to 3.56. He's just 2-for-6 in save chances this season, but none of those four botches came in a ninth-inning situation. There was a speculative report from Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that normal closer Bud Norris might've been having arm trouble before Sunday's game and might not have been available for this opportunity. Hicks, 21, has been erratic for much of the year but has found form recently, and with the Cardinals' managerial change, perhaps Hicks has a renewed opportunity for closures -- or perhaps this was a brief substitution for Norris. The 21-year-old flamethrower has greatly improved his command, walking just one batter in 7.1 innings this month, so maybe he'll play a bigger role with save chances under the new skipper. He's worth a speculative pickup in many fantasy leagues.