BOSTON / PITTSBURGH – The early work for Andrew McCutchen in right field has been a bit mixed. He’s had some plays where he looks comfortable at the position, such as the catch up against the wall in Boston to rob a home run, or a hard liner at PNC Park on Friday that went to him after a bit of a hook.
Then there were a few plays that made him look new to the position. There was the play in Boston where he pulled up and watched a ball drop foul, not knowing how close he was to the wall. There was also the liner hit to the gap on Friday that went right over his glove as he ranged towards center field.
McCutchen has said that the outfield is the outfield, and moving to the new spot shouldn’t be a big deal. It’s all about getting used to the new angles and routes, and getting in-game experience.
“I’m comfortable,” McCutchen said. “There’s still going to be some things that you can’t duplicate in practice. You can only get them in game speed. The last game I played in Bradenton, I got a line drive off a left-handed hitter right at me. That’s the first one I had ever gotten. I had to judge it. It ended up falling in front of me and I said ‘Oh, I could have gotten that.'”
The results in right field will probably be better than the results in center. McCutchen was on a decline with his defense in center field, and the Pirates made the correct call moving him to an easier position. Of course this came after he was offered in trade talks over the offseason, and a lot of discussion about how he might not be an elite player anymore. But the clubhouse still views him as a leader on the field, and McCutchen doesn’t think moving to right field changes that.
“I’ve been here long enough where we have respect for each other,” McCutchen said. “Going in, I understand that just because I’m playing right field that doesn’t mean that changes. I’m still me. I’m still Andrew McCutchen. No one’s theory of me on this team has changed. They know me. They understand who I am. We respect each other, we know each other, and we go from there.”
It’s too early to get any kind of statistical analysis on how McCutchen is grading out in right, or how Starling Marte is doing in center field. You also don’t want to make too much about good plays or bad plays, since it’s so early. The hope is that McCutchen can learn the ins and outs of the position quickly, giving the Pirates an upgrade over their outfield from last year.
The Bullpen Alignment
Clint Hurdle has shown his bullpen alignment in the first three games, featuring a pretty set back of the bullpen. Prior to Opening Day, Hurdle said that Felipe Rivero would pitch the seventh inning, Daniel Hudson would pitch the eighth, and obviously Tony Watson would be the closer. That alignment has worked well the first few games.
Beyond that, the Pirates have a few relievers who can work long relief, which creates some interesting scenarios, especially with Juan Nicasio.
“One of the reasons that [Wade] LeBlanc is here and [Trevor] Williams is here is to be able to use Nicasio in a variety of ways,” Hurdle said. “There might be a need to stop a big time, middle of the order situation in the sixth. Nicasio could be that guy and finish in the seventh. Rivero is going to be one inning more often than not. Maybe some one-plus. I’m not anticipating two. Nicasio could be two, but he could be a guy who gives Hudson or Watson a blow when they’re three days towards the back.”
The early results from Rivero and Hudson have been strong. Nicasio did well last year in relief, and looks to be carrying that over to this year. That group could give the Pirates a strong back of the bullpen, allowing them to shut down games early when they have a lead.
Tonight’s Lineup
David Freese is not in tonight’s lineup after taking a line drive off the sternum last night. Freese said he was fine after the game, but the Pirates have Josh Harrison at third, with Adam Frazier starting at second and batting leadoff. Freese said that he is available off the bench.
Game 4: #Pirates (1-2) vs Braves (1-3)
Frazier 2B
Marte CF
Cutch RF
☕ LF
Jaso 1B
Cervelli C
JHay 3B
Mercer SSChad Kuhl vs.
R.A. Dickey— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) April 8, 2017
Hurdle said that John Jaso is in at first base instead of Josh Bell because of his experience against knuckleballers. Jaso is 5 for 12 with a 1.000 OPS in his career against R.A. Dickey and Steven Wright. Hurdle said that the young players coming up in minors don’t have many opportunities to face knuckleballers. Frazier said the first time he did it was against Wright in Spring Training this year.
Hurdle said he expects Frazier and Marte to be the primary leadoff options against right-handers, with Jordy Mercer taking over against lefties. But Hurdle also cautioned that rotation is far from set in stone.
“I don’t know how consistent it’s going to be, if we’ll have the same guy every day,” he said. “I’m not sold that it’s going to be a consistent guy. It’s got to be a productive guy.”
