3 reasons the Giants are playoff contenders with Andrew McCutchen

By Sean Sears | Jan 15, 2018

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 04: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates smiles as he tips his hat on his way to home plate for an at bat during the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 4, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

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1. McCutchen in the leadoff spot might be perfect

While the veteran OF has been at the heart of the Pirates lineup, shifting him to the lead-off spot for the Giants might be the perfect fit for McCutchen. With some combination of Posey, Belt, and Longoria are expected to compose the middle of the order, sliding McCutchen in front of them could lead to his first 100 run season in over six years.

With his elite on-base skills, the threat to go deep, and his sneaky 11 steals last season, McCutchen could be the table-setting player the Giants have lacked the last few years. McCutchen scored 94 runs last season with guys like David Freese and Jordy Mercer batting behind him, imagine what he could do with All-Stars like Posey and Longoria driving him in on a consistent basis.

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McCutchen, while not the player he once was, still has great value for a team in need of a run-creator. And at this point of his career, McCutchen has all the tools necessary to be just that for San Francisco.

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