Andrew McCutchen is The Reason, But Can He Keep This Up?

Andrew McCutchen was smiling in the Bucs dugout as he soaked in the love from his teammates after another monster game.  He came in riding an 0-for-9 slump, which for Pirates fans felt like the longest slump of the season for their stud outfielder.  But it didn’t take long for McCutchen to get back on a roll.

Buccos fans should have known when the Royals sent a left-hander to the bump.

Cutch devoured left handers this season to the tune of 23 hits in 52 at-bats with three bombs coming into the matchup.  He actually made those numbers take a nice jump just when his team needed him to carry them.

When the Bucs needed a sweep, Cutch happened.  He doubled, homered, stole a base and drove in all three of the Pirates runs.  It was his 16th multi-hit game of the season. He has now driven in 22 of his teammates in the past 22 games.

Fear those dreds.  He is now hitting .463 against lefties this season.  Looking closer at his numbers is especially interesting:  his walk rate is 9.1 percent–the lowest number he has ever put up in the show, his batting average on balls in play is .368 which is easily the best in his career, he is also striking out 19.8 percent of the time–which is again, you guessed it. 

Can he continue his success with those numbers behind the numbers?  It will be tough unless those start to improve.

The Buccos need Cutch to stay hot as he is absolutely carrying the runs-starved Pirates offense.   And look at this, the Baltimore Orioles send left handers to the mound on Tuesday and Wednesday with a TBA on Thursday that some feel could be Jamie Moyer.  Bon appetite! 

Wei-Yin Chen will be coming off a stellar outing against the Red Sox when he gave up just one run in seven innings against the Boston Red Sox.

On Wednesday, Brian Matusz will be trying to get back on track after his shortest and worst outing of the year against Boston when he gave up four runs and lasted just two innings.

We think Cutch will be smiling at Camden Yards this week too.