Game Thread: Andrew McCutchen batting third again as Pirates face Rays

Andrew McCutchen is back in the three-hole for the first time since May 23. He sat out of the starting lineup a couple days and returned May 26, batting sixth. As you’re probably aware, he’s been quite good since then — hitting .380/.471/.690 with eight home runs, in fact — all in the sixth spot. Of course, that wasn’t really why McCutchen was hitting well, though I’m guessing there was a bit of mental relief Cutch got from the drop at first.

In any event, Cutch is hitting third. The struggling Gregory Polanco is hitting in the magical sixth spot.

The full things:

Rays

1. Mallex Smith, CF
2. Corey Dickerson, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Logan Morrison, 1B
5. Steven Souza, RF
6. Wilson Ramos, C
7. Tim Beckham, 2B
8. Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
9. Alex Cobb, P

— — —

Pirates

1. Adam Frazier, LF
2. Josh Harrison, 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Josh Bell, 1B
5. David Freese, 3B
6. Gregory Polanco, RF
7. Jordy Mercer, SS
8. Chris Stewart, C
9. Trevor Williams, P