Stop Sleeping on Andrew McCutchen, He’s Still Out Here Giving Pitchers Nightmares

If you have not been watching Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen recently, then you are missing out. By the time his Sunday was complete, he had reached career milestones in doubles (35) and runs scored (1,000). 

 

The 34-year-old has seen the ball really well since the end of May. He is currently on a six-game hitting streak, which has increased his batting average to .225 on the year. 

His 10 home runs are second on the team and he is also second on the team in RBI with 28. Even though his batting average may not be up to par, he’s still been swinging a hot stick.

 

 

And his hits have been timely. The former 2013 National League MVP still has some power in his bat. During his six-game hitting streak, he’s 9-for-20 with three home runs with seven RBI.

McCutchen came through big time in the Phillies’ 5-2 victory over the Nationals on June 5. He only had one hit that game, but that hit was a three-run homer that helped the Phillies seal the victory.

The next day, on June 6,  he went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, an RBI and two runs scored.

After that game, McCutchen talked about his performance and how he came and delivered for his team. Beyond the stick, McCutchen’s leadership is also invaluable. 

 

 

“That’s what it’s all about,” McCutchen told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “We don’t get many opportunities like that so when we do, you have to be able to capitalize. We were able to do that.”

The Phillies took two of three from the Nationals in their recent series. McCutchen was one of the Phillies’ top hitters during the series, going 5-for-10 with four RBI.

When the 2021 season started, McCutchen got off to a slow start. The 13-year veteran hit an abysmal .169 for April. 

In baseball, there will be times where players face slumps and aren’t hitting the way they want to. One thing you have to continue to do is continue to stay positive and always and be ready for the next opportunity.

When May rolled around, McCutchen started to see more success at the plate. He went on a six-game hitting streak during the month.

One area McCutchen has had success this season is hitting off of left-handed pitchers. In a separate article from the Philadelphia Inquirer that was published on June 3, it stated that McCutchen was hitting .301 against lefties.

“Sometimes I can fall into these patterns to where I’m one way on a lefty, and then when a righty comes in, the approach kind of changes,” McCutchen said. “I feel like lefties, maybe I’m diving over the plate. 

“Righties come in, and I’m diving, and I’m missing pitches that I should be hitting. It’s just about centering that and fine-tuning it so you can be even-keeled against a lefty or a righty. I don’t look at it as a problem. I just look at it as a challenge.”

 

 

So even though his overall numbers aren’t the best this season, McCutchen still has a lot of value to this Phillies team. He’s the type of player that can change the game with one swing of the bat and he’s displayed that his whole career.

Now in his third year with the Phillies, McCutchen will look to continue to establish himself as a threat at the plate and in the field.