Rivero allowed two runs on one hit (a two-run homer) and a walk in one inning against the Braves on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty, known for hitting 100 mph with his fastball, has been consistently throwing in the mid-90s this spring. Most likely, he's simply waiting to ramp up his velocity as the season nears. It's worth noting he compiled a 4.15 ERA in his final 23 appearances after July last summer, but the Bucs have a number of shortcomings and Rivero isn't one of them. He finished 2017 with 21 saves despite not taking over the closer's job until mid June.

Rivero signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the Pirates on Monday which includes a pair of $10 million club options, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

In the same week the Pirates traded away two of their veteran stars -- Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole -- they also committed to one of their more promising pieces in Rivero. The 26-year-old jumped into the discussion of top-tier relievers with his breakout performance in 2017, as he finished the season with a 1.67 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 88:20 K:BB across 75.1 innings. He took over as the team's closer in June and didn't miss a beat, converting all but two of his 24 save opportunities. Rivero is set to reprise his role as the Pirates' closer in 2018; he'll look to solidify himself as one of the top closers in the game with another impressive season.

Rivero struck out one in a perfect ninth inning against the Nationals on Saturday en route to his 21st save of the season.

EDGE Analysis

Rivero has been one of the best relievers in baseball throughout the season, and he's thrived in the closer role since taking over for Tony Watson in June, converting 21 of 23 opportunities. Relievers can be extremely volatile from year-to-year, but Rivero's skill are rock solid. He'll be worth a substantial investment in drafts and auctions next spring.

Rivero gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 20th save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty is now 20-for-22 in converting save chances since taking over the closer role in June, and barring a major offseason acquisition, Rivero should head into 2018 at the head of the Pirates' bullpen.

Rivero pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to collect his 19th save of the season during Sunday's win over St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

After a poor outing Friday that cost Pittsburgh a win, Rivero bounced back in strong form Sunday. He's sporting an impressive 1.72 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 10.6 K/9 to go along with his 19 saves, and Rivero checks out as a must-own fantasy asset in all settings through the final week of the season.

Rivero took the loss Friday, giving up two earned runs on three hits in one inning against St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

The save opportunity was just his first in more than two weeks -- he's now converted 18-of-20 chances. Rivero has thrown 41 pitches in the last three days but should be available Saturday. On a night when former Pirate bullpen arm Juan Nicasio got the win, Rivero saw his stock heading into 2018 drop just a little bit. He's by far Pittsburgh's best reliever but he holds a 4.82 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 20 games (18.2 IP) since the beginning of August.

Rivero (5-2) picked up the win after tossing a scoreless inning Wednesday against the Brewers. He struck out one batter while allowing a hit and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

It wasn't Rivero's cleanest outing, but he was able to keep the score tied heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, where Adam Frazier ended things with a two-run walkoff homer. He hasn't seen many save opportunities in September -- a trend that may continue down the stretch with the Pirates struggling -- but Rivero is still valuable thanks to his impressive 1.54 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 83:19 K:BB through 70.1 innings this season.

Rivero allowed no hits or walks in a scoreless inning Friday. He failed to record a strikeout and plunked one batter.

EDGE Analysis

After compiling seven saves and pitching in parts of 13 games in August, Rivero has collected only two saves in five September appearances. Leads have been hard to come by for Pittsburgh in recent times, reducing Rivero's opportunities. On the bright side, the lefty has dropped his earned run average from 5.40 to 1.80 over the last month, regaining some of the dominance he showed earlier in 2017.

Rivero struck out two in a clean inning of work to record his 18th save of the season Tuesday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Rivero was dominant in this one, pumping in 10 of his 11 pitches for strikes while retiring the side in order. He labored in a pair of outings over the weekend, but a day of rest seemed to do him some good. He owns a sparkling 1.45 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP over this course of this breakout season.

Rivero may not be available Monday after throwing a combined 47 pitches Saturday and Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

A 20-pitch effort morphed into a taxing 31 pitches Sunday after second baseman Max Moroff muffed a fly ball with two outs in the ninth inning. Rivero, who walked two batters for just the second time in 2017 (covering 65 games), holds an 80:19 K:BB, 1.47 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 67.1 innings.