Bednar earned the save against the Cubs on Friday after tossing a perfect 10th inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was brought in for the 10th frame to protect the Pirates' 2-1 lead and took care of the top of the Cubs' order on just 13 pitches (11 strikes). He's recorded a save in four of his last five outings and has converted all 10 save opportunities this season. Bednar has a 3.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 33:5 K:BB across 23.2 innings this season.

Bednar struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander fanned Kyle Stowers and Xavier Edwards to lock down his sixth straight successful conversion since May 20. Over that 10-appearance span, Bednar has delivered a 0.96 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB in 9.1 innings, and the 30-year-old appears to have fully regained the elite form he seemed to have lost during a rough 2024, and an even rougher beginning to 2025.

Bednar earned the save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Phillies, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was brought out for the ninth to protect the Pirates' one-run lead. He needed just seven pitches (five strikes) to get through the frame, four of which came on a Kyle Schwarber strikeout. Bednar has converted on all eight of his save opportunities this season and has a 3.74 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 31:5 K:BB across 21.2 innings. He appears to have reestablished himself as Pittsburgh's closer while Dennis Santana serves in high-leverage situations.

Bednar (1-4) picked up the win Friday, striking out the side in the ninth inning of a 5-4 victory over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

With the score tied 4-4 in the top of the ninth, Bednar carved up the Phillies' 8-9-1 hitters on 14 pitches (10 strikes), including an impressive three-pitch whiff of the red-hot Trea Turner to end the frame. The Bucs then pushed a run home to walk it off and get their closer his first win of the year. The right-hander appears to be back in top form and rewarding the organization's faith in him after a rough 2024 and early-season demotion in 2025 -- since rejoining the big-league roster in mid-April, Bednar has a 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 29:3 K:BB through 19.2 innings while converting all six of his save chances.

Bednar earned the save in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Astros, allowing one hit while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar has now turned in five straight scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five in that span. After a shaky start to the year, the 30-year-old Bednar has lowered his ERA to 4.12 with a 1.32 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB across 19.2 innings while logging seven saves.

Bednar struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 9-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar has earned three saves over his last four appearances. He had allowed a baserunner in each of his last three outings before Tuesday's clean inning. The right-hander is still on shaky ground, as he's been scored on in four of his 11 appearances in May, allowing five runs over 9.2 innings with a 15:2 K:BB. Overall, he has a 4.86 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB through 16.2 innings in the majors this season, and he's added six saves and three holds.

Bednar picked up the save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Brewers. He allowed one hit, zero walks and one hit by pitch while striking out zero over a scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar didn't spare the dramatics Saturday, hitting Caleb Durbin and giving up a base hit to Joey Ortiz before inducing a Brice Turang double play to close out the game. The right-hander faltered in a non-save situation Friday, surrendering a solo home run and issuing two walks before being pulled after recording only one out. The 30-year-old has struggled mightily this season, pitching to a 5.17 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 15.2 innings in 19 appearances. Despite his struggles, as well as the effectiveness of Dennis Santana, Bednar appears to be back in the closer role for the Pirates.

Bednar gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning without recording a strikeout or a walk to pick up his fourth save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Reds on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

After Bednar was tagged for two runs in two-thirds of an inning Monday in a non-save situation, manager Don Kelly turned right back to Bednar, and the 30-year-old right-hander responded by converting his first save chance in May. Dennis Santana worked the eighth inning and faced the bottom of the order, so even though Bednar has been the less effective pitcher of late between the two of them -- he has a 4.91 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 12:0 K:BB in seven innings this month versus Santana's 2.57 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 4:0 K:BB in seven innings -- Bednar may be viewed as the better option in highest-leverage spots by his new skipper.

Bednar threw a scoreless eighth inning without allowing a baserunner and striking out two Wednesday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was tasked with protecting a four-run lead in the eighth inning, and he needed only 12 pitches to do so. Bednar has allowed only three earned runs across 11.2 innings with an 18:1 K:BB since being recalled April 19. However, he's pitched in the eighth inning and behind Dennis Santana regularly since Santana returned from bereavement leave May 4.

Bednar allowed two hits and struck out three across a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold Friday against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Bullpen usage will be particularly notable in Pittsburgh for the next several games due to their managerial change. Bednar entered Friday's game in the eighth inning with a three-run lead and faced the top of Atlanta's order. He allowed a pair of singles but escaped the jam and has now allowed two earned runs across nine innings with a 13:1 K:BB since being recalled to the majors April 19. Dennis Santana was shaky but converted the save on Friday.