Watson pitched a scoreless ninth inning on one hit while striking out two to earn his 10th save of the season Sunday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Watson has successfully closed out 10 of his 11 chances this month since taking over the closing duties for the Pirates, and he now has a 2.57 ERA. The fifth year reliever has kept his WHIP at or under his current number of 1.07 in each of the last four seasons.

Watson struck out a batter in a clean 10th inning Thursday against Milwaukee for his eighth save.

EDGE Analysis

After uncharacteristically struggling through a series against the Giants early last week, Watson got six days off before returning to the mound Wednesday, and he's rewarded that decision with consecutive spotless outings. Unless something changes, he'll continue closing out games for the Pirates down the stretch.

Although Watson has converted seven of eight saves opportunities since taking over the closing duties in Pittsburgh, he's struggled with his control.

EDGE Analysis

He's allowed six hits and four walks in 7.2 innings, giving up four runs (three earned). Watson has faced the three-man minimum just one time in seven opportunities, putting runners on in nearly every outing. As a set-up man, Watson faced the minimum of three batters in 19 of 40 opportunities. Still, the Pirates aren't close to replacing Watson with Neftali Feliz -- who continues to perform well in an eighth-inning role.

Watson allowed a run on two hits and walk in the ninth inning Wednesday, but held on to earn his seventh save of the season

EDGE Analysis

Watson has pitched well since taking over the closer job after Mark Melancon was traded away, earning seven saves in August already. This one wasn't easy though, as the veteran left-hander needed 28 pitches to retire the side, and put the potential winning run on base. Watson now has a 2.77 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 52 innings on the year.

Watson picked up his sixth save as he worked around a hit for a scoreless ninth Tuesday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Watson has given up just two runs (one earned) over 5.2 innings as closer, and he remains perfect in save opportunities. He has just 44 strikeouts in 51 innings this year, putting him significantly behind the average closer in strikeout rate, but Watson has been excellent in a setup role for Pittsburgh (sub-2.00 ERAs in both 2014 and 2015) and should be expected to remain effective as closer.

Watson worked around a leadoff home run in the ninth to convert his third save in Tuesday's contest against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

In his five appearances since becoming the team's closer, Watson has three saves and one win (which was the result of a blown save). Tuesday ended a three-game hitless streak for the right-hander, and was the first longball Watson had given up in 25 appearances dating back to June 5. The left-handed throws three pitches, including a refined changeup that he's been throwing a career-high 22 percent of the time. Watson's slider is clocked almost exactly the same as his changeup, giving him a deadly combination that allows him to attack hitters on both sides of the plate.

Watson earned his second save Saturday, retiring the Reds in order. He struck out one batter and threw 14 of 19 pitches for strikes.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Clint Hurdle doesn't like to use relievers three straight days, so there's a chance he could get Sunday off -- Watson has thrown 37 pitches over the last two days. Pittsburgh does have an off day Monday, however. Neftali Feliz has also thrown in each of the last two games, making Felipe Rivero a saves candidate for Sunday. At the very least, it's something for fantasy owners to keep an eye on.

Watson was credited with the win Friday after blowing his first home save opportunity as the Pirates' closer.

EDGE Analysis

A leadoff walk led to a game-tying sacrifice fly before Pittsburgh won the game with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the inning. Interestingly, Watson has blown 17 of 23 career save opportunities over six seasons. The lefty has posted a 2.72 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 23 holds and one save in four chances in 2016.

Watson converted his first save opportunity of the season Tuesday, walking one and striking out one to hold a 5-3 lead.

EDGE Analysis

Watson was named the Pirates closer after the club dealt former closer Mark Melancon to the Nationals for left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero and a minor league pitcher. He looked solid in his first closing action, retiring Atlanta hitters without allowing a hit. Watson has a 2.58 ERA and 1.06 ERA in 45.1 innings, so there's little reason to doubt the veteran left-hander going forward.

Watson will take over as the Pirates' closer with Mark Melancon traded to the Nationals on Saturday, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

It sounds like everyone will move up a rung with Melancon shipped out to Washington, with Watson taking over in the ninth inning and Neftali Feliz inheriting primary setup duties. Watson is a lefty and right-handed hitters have hit for a bit more power against Watson this year, but he's still holding right-handed hitters to just a .190 average. He's posted a 13 percent swinging-strike rate overall this season, relying mostly on a fastball/changeup combo, and he has allowed just one in his last 20 appearances after a shaky stretch to begin June.