Andrew McCutchen cites deep cut unwritten rule after HBP cleared benches

The benches cleared in Saturday’s Brewers-Cubs afternoon game at Wrigley Field after Chicago plunked Andrew McCutchen. Did he overreact?

Cutch is a veteran of the game. Whether in Pittsburgh, New York, Philly or now Milwaukee, he’s been there and done that. As it pertains to the unwritten rules, he has the book memorized.

However, the Brewers slugger might’ve been a little off on his perception of how matters played out during Saturday’s game against the Cubs. McCutchen was hit with a pitch by Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson. After the fact, he was clearly upset, and he motioned towards the mound. That’s when the benches cleared.

Thankfully no punches were thrown. After the game, McCutchen’s explanation for the drama didn’t help matters.

“Everybody and their mom knew when I came up to bat, I was gonna get hit,” McCutchen said. But the remainder of his side of the story is a little ridiculous.

There’s a right way to intentionally bean a player?

Were Brewers, Andrew McCutchen or Cubs in the right?

When a game as hands-off as baseball leads to physical violence, both teams are in the wrong. But this feels like it’s a little more on the Brewers, and here’s why.

The Cubs have been fed up with Milwaukee for awhile now. Willson Contreras, a clubhouse leader, has been hit 14 times by Brewers pitching in a short span of time. He was plunked again on Opening Day, and showed his displeasure.

Now, it’s easy to understand why the Brewers would expect some sort of retribution. But why McCutchen?

No offense to Cutch, a former MVP in his own right, but he is not the face of this Brewers team. Comparing him to Contreras is like apples and oranges. If the Cubs wanted to go after a player of Contreras’ caliber, it would not be him. Second, why the eighth inning, when the game is nearly over?

This situation was misinterpreted by one side. And as miscommunications often to, it led to a confrontation.