Amidst a six-game losing streak and struggling offense, the Pittsburgh Pirates sought a spark at the leadoff spot in their lineup. Manager Derek Shelton turned to a trusted veteran bat, Andrew McCutchen, who had a history of success batting leadoff.
McCutchen embraced the assignment, understanding the importance of setting the tone for the team. In the first inning of Monday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, he delivered a powerful 414-foot leadoff home run to left-center field, providing an early lead for the Pirates.
McCutchen’s homer set the tone for the Pirates, who went on to win 4-2. He continued his strong performance with singles in the third and seventh innings, finishing 3-for-4 at the plate. The veteran outfielder’s experience and ability to control the strike zone were crucial for the Pirates in a time of offensive struggles.
Manager Shelton lauded McCutchen’s stability and veteran leadership, emphasizing his ability to control the strike zone and have quality at-bats. Despite his recent struggles at the plate, Shelton recognized McCutchen’s ability to make hard contact, giving him confidence that the hits would eventually come.
McCutchen, now 37 years old, has a long history of success as a leadoff hitter, with 23 career leadoff home runs. This latest homerun marks his first since last June and his 11th as a Pirate, placing him behind only Barry Bonds in franchise history.
The move to bat McCutchen leadoff made sense for the Pirates, not just because of his history in that role, but also because of his ability to provide stability and leadership to a young team. His performance on Monday was a reminder of his value to the Pirates, as he helped lead them to a much-needed victory.
