Hader (2-0) walked one and struck out two over one inning to earn the extra-inning win Wednesday versus the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Hader pitched a scoreless ninth inning and was in line for the win after Lorenzo Cain's three-run homer put the Brewers ahead in the 10th. J.P. Feyereisen and Brad Boxberger upheld the lead to give Hader the win. The Brewers' primary closer hasn't gotten a save chance yet, but Hader has allowed just one baserunner while striking out five in his two innings of work this year.

Hader (1-0) earned the win in Thursday's extra-inning victory over the Twins. He tossed a perfect inning while striking out all three batters he faced.

EDGE Analysis

Hader was absolutely dominant when called upon in the season opener, tossing nine of his 11 pitches for strikes in a masterful inning. He went 13-for-15 in save opportunities last season and should be one of the league's elite closers once again in 2021.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell confirmed Tuesday that Hader will serve as a traditional closer this season, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Brewers have been creative with Hader's usage in the past, and the presence of Devin Williams -- who struck out more than half the batters he faced last season -- could allow the team to deploy Hader earlier in games. It appears they'll go the more conventional route, however. Hader turned the so-called "Andrew Miller role" into the "Josh Hader role" early in his career, averaging 4.3 outs per appearances while saving just 12 games over his first two seasons. He's been a traditional closer to the last two years, though, and his outs per appearance continue to drop, falling to 3.7 in 2019 before sinking to 2.7 last year. Having a true closer role may continue to suppress his innings total but will nevertheless be a big boost to his fantasy value in most setups.

Hader recorded two outs and allowed two home runs in his first appearance of the spring Wednesday. He struck out two batters and walked one.

EDGE Analysis

Hader was working on his offspeed stuff Wednesday, throwing "quite a few" changeups, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. However, the two homers came off fastballs. Hader worked almost exclusively fastball-slider the last three seasons, but it appears he is attempting to bring back the changeup that he used from time to time during his 2017 rookie season. That's likely in an effort to keep the ball in the park, as he gave up 1.7 HR/9 over the last two years. Of course, he also struck out 169 batters in 94.2 innings during that same span.

Hader signed a one-year, $6.675 million deal with the Brewers on Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Last year, the two sides could not come to terms and Hader ended up losing his arbitration hearing, settling for $4.1 million. Both sides are likely thankful to avoid such an unpleasant process this time around. He enters the season as the Brewers' clear closer, but trade rumors should linger throughout the offseason.

Hader struck out one across a scoreless ninth inning Saturday as he picked up the save against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Hader had to work hard for his three outs as he needed 21 pitches to get through the ninth but ultimately had no trouble getting his 13th save of the season to pace the National League. Hader's numbers have dipped a bit in 2020 in comparison to recent seasons, but the southpaw still has done very well with a 3.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB across 19 innings.

Hader gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning to record his 12th save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Cardinals in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.

EDGE Analysis

While his control and ability to keep the ball in the park have occasionally wavered this season, leading to a 4.00 ERA in a small sample, Hader has otherwise been his usual dominant self in 2020. The southpaw sports a 1.00 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB over 18 innings and blown just two of his 14 save chances.

Hader had two strikeouts and didn't allow a baserunner during a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

It was vintage form for the left-hander, as he threw 10 of his 13 pitches for strikes and delivered only one non-fastball. Hader has a 4.24 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB through 17 innings and is 11-for-13 in save opportunities.

Hader recorded just one out while earning the save against the Royals on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Milwaukee had a 5-1 lead heading into the ninth, so Hader wasn't expected to get the call. However, after a two-out, two-run homer by Salvador Perez, the 26-year-old lefty came in and shut the game down with just two pitches. He now has 10 saves and a 4.50 ERA this season.

Hader pitched the final frame of Friday's 9-5 victory over the Royals. He served up a home run to lead off the inning but struck out the next three batters he faced.

EDGE Analysis

The Brewers held a five-run lead when Hader entered, but because the club needed a win and Hader had not pitched since Monday, manager Craig Counsell still elected to use him in a non-save situation. Hader ultimately sealed the deal, but he also allowed a run for the fourth time in eight outings, and as a result now owns a 4.60 ERA after sitting with a zero in that department as recently as Aug. 28. Setup man Devin Williams has been more effective of late, but given Hader's track record and the fact Williams has never recorded a save at the big-league level, don't expect the bullpen hierarchy to change.