Doolittle tossed 1.2 scoreless innings Thursday against the Pirates to pick up his sixth save of the season.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle came on with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning to protect a three-run lead, and he proceeded to retire all five batters he faced to secure just the second five-out save of his career. He allowed one run to score in the eighth inning on a groundout, but it was an unearned run charged to Ryan Madson. Doolittle is now a perfect 6-for-6 on save chances this season to go with his elite 1.84 ERA, 0.48 WHIP and 22:3 K:BB through 14.2 innings.

Doolittle allowed a hit and struck out one batter to record his fifth save of the season in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle allowed a double to Chris Owings to begin the ninth inning but was able to induce two pop outs and record a strikeout en route to his fifth save. The southpaw has allowed a run in just two of his 13 outings and appears to have a firm grasp on the Nationals' closer role. Doolittle has pitched in three consecutive games, so he'd likely be unavailable if a save opportunity arises Monday against the Pirates.

Doolittle got the save against the Dodgers on Friday, throwing a clean ninth inning with one strikeout to close out the Nationals' 5-2 victory.

EDGE Analysis

It was the fourth save in as many chances to start the campaign for the left-hander, who is also putting up solid ratios with a 2.70 ERA and 0.60 WHIP through 10 innings. The strong start to the season should only further cement his status as the primary option when it comes to save opportunities in the Washington bullpen.

Doolittle got the save Tuesday in the win over the Mets, tossing a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle needed only 10 pitches (nine strikes) to secure his third save of the season. After giving up a run and taking the loss in his last outing against the Rockies, Doolittle came back strong and in command. In nine innings pitched now, the lefty has an 18:3 K:BB ratio to go along with a .103 opponent batting average. He's a flyball-strikeout pitcher, so he will give up the occasional home run, but the low WHIP (0.86 last year) and high strikeout rates (10.87 K/9) do well to secure plenty of save chances.

Doolittle allowed a game-winning solo home run to Ian Desmond in the top of the ninth inning during Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

He did end up striking out the side, his sixth straight outing with multiple strikeouts, but it still counts as a disappointing outing for the Nats closer. Doolittle has only two saves so far but an elite 16:3 K:BB in eight innings, and once he starts getting more opportunities the saves should come.

Doolittle tossed a scoreless 10th inning in Wednesday's loss to the Braves, striking out two and walking two.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle worked around a pair of walks -- one of which was intentional -- to keep the game knotted at two heading into the bottom of the 10th inning. The 31-year-old has settled in nicely since struggling in a save chance earlier in the month, tossing four consecutive scoreless innings while striking out eight over that stretch.

Doolittle allowed two runs on a hit and a hit by pitch but still managed to pick up the save Sunday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Luckily, Doolittle had a three-run cushion and was able to settle down and strike out Billy Hamilton following the Phil Gosselin home run to bring the score within one run. Doolittle's control will be worth watching this season. He has already walked a batter and hit another one with a pitch in just two outings. Much of his success in the past two campaigns has been the result of impeccable control, and if that slips, Doolittle will be in trouble.

Doolittle walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to pick up his first save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Everything went according to plan for the Nats' pitching staff to kick off the season, as Max Scherzer dominated Cincinnati for six innings before turning things over to Brandon Kintzler, Ryan Madson and Doolittle for the final three frames. After recording 21 saves in 30 appearances for Washington after being acquired from Oakland last year, Doolittle will likely only need to avoid a lengthy disabled list stint to set a new career high in the category in 2018.

Doolittle has yet to allow a run in four innings this spring, giving up only two hits and a walk while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander is getting ready for his first full season as the Nats' closer after saving a career-high 24 games in 2017. Doolittle has plenty of veteran support among his setup crew -- Ryan Madson, Brandon Kintzler, Shawn Kelley and Joaquin Benoit all have closing experience -- but no real challengers for his spot in the ninth inning, and his career 10.5 K/9 should allow him to be one of the more valuable fantasy arms among the second tier of NL closers this season.

Manager Dave Martinez said Saturday that Doolittle will remain the Nationals' closer in 2018, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Doolittle will reprise his ninth-inning role after converting 21-of-22 save opportunities for the Nationals in 2017 after being acquired by the team at the non-waiver trade deadline in July. The 31-year-old also posted a healthy 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB in 30 innings with Washington, and he should once again prove to be a steady mid-tier closer in 2018.