Pittsburgh Pirates DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar shut the door for his 12th save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Dodgers. Bednar came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by one and delivered a 1-2-3 performance with no strikeouts. The 29-year-old has converted 12 of 15 save opportunities this season, but those have come with a 5.92 ERA. Four different relievers have seen a save opportunity for the Pirates in the last seven days, so Bednar's grasp on the role seems to be tenuous. However, he has been a useful fantasy option in each of the last two seasons, so fantasy managers should continue to trust him as long as he can pitch well enough.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will call up catcher/outfielder Henry Davis from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of the team's Tuesday series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Pirates sent Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis on May 3 after he hit .162/.280/.206 and failed to homer in 83 at-bats. However, Davis has hit seven homers with a 1.078 OPS since being optioned, with Indianapolis manager Derek Shelton adding that Davis has been making progress with his mechanics. Davis' power potential makes him an enticing waiver wire player in leagues where he is available.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller threw six innings of one-run ball in Saturday's 8-1 victory over the Blue Jays. The righty allowed just five hits and a walk while striking out eight. The outing marked his fifth straight quality start, going 5-0 with a 1.34 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 16.7% K-BB% over that stretch. The former second-round draft pick is having a solid season overall as well, going 7-3 with a 3.42 ERA (3.47 FIP), 1.22 WHIP, and a 66:20 K:BB over 12 starts (73 2/3 IP). The 28-year-old will look to keep rolling when he toes the rubber against the Twins in his next start at home on Friday.

Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter turned in a fourth straight quality start in his team's 5-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in 14 innings on Friday. Falter tossed six innings of shutout ball while allowing just two hits, striking out five, and walking two. The 27-year-old southpaw has been a pleasant surprise for the Pirates this season, posting a 3-2 record, 3.22 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts over 64 1/3 innings of work. Falter isn't posting big strikeout numbers but he has proven worthy of a spot in fantasy lineups thanks to his other solid numbers. He will return to the mound on Thursday at home to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes and catcher Yasmani Grandal are both starting on the bench for the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday against the hosting Detroit Tigers. Jared Triolo will take over at third base and bat seventh, while Grant Koch will do the catching for rookie right-hander Paul Skenes while batting in the nine-hole against Tigers rookie right-hander Keider Montero, who is making his MLB debut. Hayes returned from the injured list on Tuesday and played in his first game back in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader, going 0-for-2 with a walk while playing all eight innings at the hot corner. It makes sense that the Pirates would rest the 27-year-old in the second game of their twin bill after he just returned from the IL. Hayes should be back in there to start Friday's series in Toronto against the Blue Jays.