Watson fired a clean inning with a strikeout in Thursday's 1-0 victory over the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

The Giants haven't been winning many games this season (5-9), but when they have, Watson is usually bridging the gap to closer Will Smith. The 34-year-old owns a strong 1.93 ERA to go along with four holds through five appearances. Thursday's strikeout was surprisingly just his first of the year, but his strikeout rate is unlikely to remain at 1.9 K/9 after posting a 9.8 K/9 in 2018.

Watson tossed a scoreless inning while striking out a batter in Saturday's spring training win over the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Watson, like fellow southpaw Will Smith, has appeared in just three games so far this spring. Neither pitcher has much to prove, as the former is expected to serve as the team's primary left-handed setup man and the latter will begin the year as closer. Watson turned in one of his finest seasons since his days in Pittsburgh last year (2.59 ERA, 5.1 K/BB ratio and 32 holds), and he should be able to help out those in holds leagues yet again.

Watson gave up a hit and struck out a batter over two-thirds of a scoreless inning in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Watson notched his 25th hold in the process, which is the most he has recorded since his days in Pittsburgh when he was considered one of the best left-handed relievers in the game. The 33-year-old now owns a sparkling 2.28 ERA and a 4.7 K/BB ratio over 51.1 innings, making him a strong asset in holds leagues.

Watson allowed two hits over a scoreless inning en route to his 17th hold of the season in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Watson was deployed in the seventh inning against a lefty-heavy portion of the Marlins' lineup. Manager Bruce Bochy stated that Sam Dyson would serve as the team's primary closer in Hunter Strickland's (hand) absence, with Watson seeing the occasional save opportunity based on matchups. Dyson allowed two runs on four hits before giving way to Reyes Moronta for the save Wednesday, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Watson get a shot to prove his meddle as closer if a save opportunity presents itself in the upcoming four-game set against the Padres. The 33-year-old owns a 1.82 ERA with 40 strikeouts over 34.2 innings this season.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Watson will see some save chances with Hunter Strickland (hand) on the disabled list, though Sam Dyson is expected to see the lion's share of opportunities, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bochy identified Watson and Dyson as options to fill in as the team's closer before Tuesday's game, and the manager confirmed after the contest that Dyson -- who recorded the save Tuesday -- would serve as the primary ninth-inning man while Watson offers a left-handed option that could also see some occasional save chances. The 33-year-old Watson, who has recorded at least one save in each of the past five seasons, owns a pristine 1.87 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 40:6 K:BB across 33.2 innings this season and will be the next man up if Dyson struggles in his new role.

Watson is a candidate to serve as the Giants' closer in the absence of Hunter Strickland (hand), Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Giants' ninth-inning role became available after Hunter Strickland suffered a broken right hand by punching a wall following Monday's game against the Marlins. Manager Bruce Bochy reported Tuesday that Watson and Sam Dyson are both candidates to act as closer while Strickland rehabs over the next 6-8 weeks. Watson is a lefty and Dyson throws right-handed, so it wouldn't be all too surprising to see Bochy utilize both relievers in save situations based on favorable matchups.

Watson gave up a run on two hits over an inning in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Watson got in hot water when he allowed a run to come home in a hotly-contested matchup, but he was able to pass the torch successfully to Hunter Strickland, who nailed down the win. The 33-year-old has been a key part of the Giants' bullpen this season, posting a 2.45 ERA with 24 strikeouts and nine holds over 22 innings.

Watson pitched a perfect inning and struck out two while picking up the hold Sunday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Watson notched his third hold of the season after retiring the Angels in order during the eighth inning. The 33-year-old left-hander has struck out 13 and allowed one run in nine appearances this season, which is good enough for a 0.93 ERA. Watson should continue to be used in high-leverage situations as one of the more reliable options out of San Francisco's bullpen moving forward.

Watson (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth inning and struck out two batters to earn his first win Friday against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty also recorded a hold with a scoreless eighth frame on Opening Day, so it appears he's going to be leaned on in a high-leverage role. It positions Watson to be a serviceable fantasy asset in plenty of settings, and it's a gig he's excelled at in the past. He's now struck out five batters and allowed just a single baserunner through two innings, so it's an encouraging start for the 33-year-old veteran. It's worth noting that the San Francisco bullpen could reshuffle when Mark Melancon (elbow) returns from injury, though.

Watson picked up his first hold of the season after firing a scoreless inning with a walk and three strikeouts against the Dodgers on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Bruce Bochy named Hunter Strickland the team's temporary closer in wake of Mark Melancon's (arm) injury, effectively pushing Watson back into his previously-expected setup role. The Giants' bullpen struggled limiting left-handed batters last year, so the southpaw should see plenty of hold chances this season, especially in matchups against the Dodgers' -- who they play 10 of their first 28 games against -- premier left-handed bats.