Niese didn't factor in the decision in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Rockies. He gave up four hits, an earned run and a walk over seven innings, while striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

Niese turned in a third straight quality start, throwing 64 of 97 pitches for strikes, and recording first-pitch strikes on 16 of 26 hitters. The 29-year-old has now lowered the amount of earned runs he's yielded in three successive starts, bringing his ERA down over a full run since the calendar turned to May. After surrendering eight homers over his previous four starts, Niese also encouragingly stayed away from the long ball Saturday.

Niese (4-2) defeated the Braves on Monday, holding Atlanta to two runs in six innings. He allowed five hits and walked two while striking out six.

EDGE Analysis

After a string of bad starts, Niese has finally settled down, allowing five runs over his last two games. The lefty's first season in Pittsburgh didn't get off the the start he hoped it would, but Niese posted a sub-4.00 ERA in three of the last four seasons and should continue to bring down his ERA as the season carries on. Niese's next start will come Saturday at home against the Rockies.

Niese (3-2) took the loss on Monday afternoon, allowing three runs in 6.2 innings against the Reds. He allowed seven hits and walked one while striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

The start marked Niese's first quality start in his last four attempts. The lefty has had a rough go of things thus far this season, allowing three runs or fewer just twice in seven starts, and serving up 10 home runs in just 40 innings. Niese will carry a 5.63 ERA and 1.60 WHIP into his start this Sunday against the Cubs.

Niese (3-1) took the loss after getting hammered by the Cubs on Tuesday. He allowed six runs, nine hits and five walks while striking out three over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

His 3-1 record is deceiving considering Niese sports a 5.94 ERA and 1.68 WHIP. He's allowed 29 hits and nine walks in his last 15.1 innings. Outside of his moderate groundball rate, practically every peripheral would suggest the lefty's record will even out in the near future (beginning with Tuesday's shellacking).

Niese was tagged for 10 hits and two walks in just five innings of work Wednesday against the Rockies, but received no decision despite allowing five runs.

EDGE Analysis

A trip to Colorado's rarely fun for the pitchers, and Niese is no exception. He actually left with a lead thanks to the even greater ineffectiveness of opposing starter Jon Gray, but the bullpen blew it and sent the game to extra innings. A career Met before this season, Niese owns a 3-0 record so far as a Pirate, but his 5.08 ERA and 1.48 WHIP put the lie to that figure. It's hard to trust him in fantasy, especially with the Cubs' well-stocked lineup on the docket for Monday.

Niese (3-0) allowed four runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out two over 5.1 innings

EDGE Analysis

Despite having a fairly ineffective outing, the offense gave Niese just enough run support to keep him undefeated so far this season. He's only come up with one quality start over his four outings this season, and he now has a 4.24 ERA along with a 1.29 WHIP. He'll make his next start Wednesday at the Rockies.

Niese (2-0) allowed no runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three over seven innings, and earned the win Saturday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates offense struggled early before scoring three runs in the fourth inning, which was more than enough for Niese as he kept the Brewers' bats silent. In addition to posting his second victory in a row, he's now struck out 15 hitters over 17 innings of work this season. He'll make his next start Friday at the Diamondbacks.

Niese won his first game as a Pirate, despite allowing four runs - three earned - in six innings against the Tigers Monday afternoon. He struck out five in the outing.

EDGE Analysis

Although Niese has allowed nine runs in his 11 innings in 2016, he has showed pinpoint control, walking just two batters compared to 12 strikeouts. The lefty's career-best strikeouts per nine innings came way back in 2011 when he fanned 7.9 batters per nine. His strikeout rate may come back down to earth as soon as Saturday's start against the Brewers.

Niese took a no-decision Tuesday against the Cardinals as he allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Niese was nasty at times, as he induced 10 swinging strikes in just 81 pitches. But when he missed, the Cardinals hit him hard, as three of the five hits he allowed went for extra bases, including a Jedd Gyorko two-run home run. Niese has allowed 20 home runs in a season three times in his career despite never once reaching the 200-inning mark.

Niese allowed four earned runs in six innings Thursday, allowing six hits (including two homers) and one walk while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

The outing was only his third of the Grapefruit League season, as one of his scheduled starts was rained out. The six-inning outing Thursday was one inning more than his first two games, combined. Niese will look to improve upon last year's career-low 5.76 K/9 mark while keeping his career-best 54.5 GB percentage.