Cutch Connects

Andrew McCutchen enjoyed his biggest game as a Yankee on Friday, reaching base all five times in an 11-0 domination of the Blue Jays.
The longtime Pirate standout led off the bottom of the 1st with a double; moments later, Aaron Hicks singled him home. But he had plenty more to offer: two walks, a home run and a single. 
Big production from someone who has helped fill the hole in the Yankee outfield with Aaron Judge out injured. And in the top of the 8th inning, maybe the most encouraging sign of all for Yankee fans: McCutchen moved from right field to left, when Judge came into the game as a defensive replacement. With Aaron Boone and his staff not ready to let Judge take at-bats in a game for a few more days, this will ease number-99 back into action gradually, as he continues to get his swing back and deal with lingering pain from the broken wrist sustained seven weeks ago.
Whereever he plays over the final two weeks, McCutchen will help the Yankees and raise his own profile. He's the kind of player who, after playing for no-longer-contending Pittsburgh clubs and a Giants team that sank after a promising start, elevates his game under the bright lights of post-season.
The onetime NL MVP (who finished in the Top 5 of voting three other times) is a soon-to-be free agent. Games like Friday's might convince the Yankees front office that he's short term replacement for a past-his-prime Brett Gardner and a more dependable option than the promising -- but concussion prone -- Clint Frazier. 
For now, it's contributing to a club almost certainly on its way to October baseball.
(My image of McCutchen is from the September 1st Yankees/Tigers game.)

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