McCutchen Returns to Pittsburgh with San Francisco Giants

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – APRIL 07: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the San Francisco Giants hits a walk-off three-run homer to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 in the bottom of the 14th inning at AT&T Park on April 7, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

After being traded to the San Francisco Giants for Kyle Crick and Bryan Reynolds, former Pirate outfielder Andrew McCutchen makes his return to PNC Park to face his old team.

In 673 games, McCutchen hit 92 home runs and stole 92 bases, with a career line of .304/.394/.498 at his old stomping ground. I’m expecting a good return for the now Giant’s veteran right fielder.

The Pirates are currently tied for second place in the NL Central, only a 1/2 game behind the Cardinals. This is the Giants first opponent in the central division, and the Pirates second in the western division.

Last season, the Giants bested the Pirates 5-1 in games faced against each other, including a three-game road sweep at the end of June. The Giants will look to get their road trip back on track in another three game set.

Here are the matchups…

Game One: The New vs. The Slightly New

Andrew Suarez dealt the Braves a deciding blow, which secured the sweep for the Giants last weekend. He has only given up two earned runs in his last two starts. The biggest note is that he has only walked two over his first three starts in the majors. This will be the first time the Pirates see Suarez.

Jameson Taillon has some experience against the Giants, giving up 12 earned runs and 15 hits, and getting a loss and a no decision in those two games.

Taillon will have a challenge against Buster Posey, to whom he has surrendered two doubles. Posey has four hits in five at-bats against the right-handed starter.

Additionally, Brandon Crawford is 2-for-4 against Taillon with a double and a walk. Posey is just coming off a four-game multi-hit streak, or a six-game hit streak if you like bigger numbers.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – MARCH 09: Jeff Samardzija #29 of the San Francisco Giants walks through the dugout prior to the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Game Two: The Battle of Inconsistency

While Tuesday night wasn’t his worst start, Jeff Samardzija was all over the place with his control and location mistakes. Getting tattooed for 2 home runs and effectively putting the Giants narrowly out of reach is not something they needed on a 10-game road trip.

However, the velocity is there and it seems like every other start for Samardzija has been decent. If there is an outing where Samardzija can get back on track, it’s this one. Pirates hitters have struck out 31 times against him.

Chad Kuhl saw the Giants at PNC Park last season, going six strong innings, giving up only one run on two hits. Ultimately, it was Daniel Hudson in the 11th inning that blew the tie with a wild pitch, scoring Denard Span. It was also the first save for the Giants via Sam Dyson.

The only Giant with a batting average against Kuhl is Gregor Blanco, and that’s when he was with the Diamondbacks. Kuhl has been up-and-down all season, and much like Samardzija, when he’s off he’s way off.

Game Three: American meets National

After winning his first game of the season, Derek Holland coughed up three runs to the Phillies on Monday night. It’s safe to say that Holland is not built for the starting position, but he will be asked to do it again on the getaway game. The only Pirate with considerable experience against Holland is Sean Rodriguez, who is currently struggling this season and is assuming backup infield roles.

On the other hand, Ivan Nova has struggled recently after having some good starts in April. The Giants have seen him a couple of times, but the ones who have the biggest resume are Evan Longoria and Austin Jackson.

Longoria, who has cooled off a bit, will look to crank the heat back up. He is 13-for-41 against Nova, with three home runs and four doubles.

Jackson is a career 8-for-16 against Nova with three doubles of his own.

Nova has thrown 171 pitches in 6 2/3 innings in the month of May so far, so the Giants should really not squander the opportunity.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 10: Alen Hanson #19 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

In summation…

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After sweeping and then getting swept, the Giants sit 3-4 on this road trip. The starters (and pitching in general) need to stay consistent this series if they have any chance of returning home with an evened-up road trip, let alone a winning one.

Unfortunately, they’ll be doing it with the two biggest question marks in the rotation.

Needless to say, the pitching wasn’t the only problem. Saturday’s game might be a bit of a challenge, but after scoring 24 runs in three games against the Braves, it was totally shocking to see them completely lose their offensive momentum against the Phillies.

Not only that, but booting the ball six times in the Philadelphia series did them no favors.

Nearing the middle of May, there is no excuse for this kind of baseball. Arms and minds are fresh, and the Giants need to go out there and clean it up.

With the way the Giants have played lately, and considering the Pirates just barely beat the White Sox, it’s easy to see this series going either way.

Next: Were the San Francisco Giants Exposed Against the Phillies?

I don’t know if I see a sweep right now with the way this momentum is going for either team, but it certainly isn’t out of the question.

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