McCutchen went 0-for-3 Monday and has one hit in his last 17 at-bats.

EDGE Analysis

He's drawn seven walks in six games, but his batting improvement -- he posted an .851 OPS from Aug. 5 to Sept. 6 -- has waned in the last week. McCutchen's lackluster defense has also continued to haunt the former NL MVP, who will turn 30 years of age in October. He's under contract through next season with an option for 2018, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Pittsburgh look to move McCutchen -- either in the offseason or during the 2017 campaign.

McCutchen hit his 20th home run of the season Monday in a 12-6 loss at the hands of the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen now has six straight seasons with 20 home runs, although is batting average of .253 is way down from the .292 mark he posted a year ago. McCutchen has just 60 RBI on the year, a mark that can probably be chalked up to bad luck, considering the Pirates are top-five in the MLB in on-base percentage, and McCutchen is hitting .295 with runners in scoring position.

McCutchen hit a solo homer, going 1-for-4, in a loss to the Brewers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old center fielder has definitely found his stroke as of late. He has a hit in 10 of his last 11 games, and he's reached base in 11 straight. McCutchen has been far more patient since his benching the first week of August. Since Aug. 5, he has 18 walks versus 17 strikeouts. He is hitting .253 with 19 homers, 58 RBI, 68 runs and six steals in 491 at-bats this season.

McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a double in Friday's 1-0 loss to the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran slugger is finally starting to hit his stride at the plate, now having reached safely in 10 straight contests. McCutchen has three multi-hit efforts over that span as well, along with three doubles, a homer and five RBI. Although his current .253 average sits a full 40 points below his career mark in that category, the 30-year-old has a strong chance of hitting the 20-homer mark for the sixth straight campaign with a full month of baseball remaining.

McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a double Friday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

His inability to catch a tough fly ball on the warning track led Milwaukee to the only run of the game, but fantasy owners have to be happy the center fielder is finally producing. Since the beginning of August, McCutchen is slashing .299/.404/.443 with a 17:17 BB:K ratio.

McCutchen (ankle) is in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

An awkward turn around third base Friday provided a bit of a scare, as McCutchen was favoring his left ankle immediately afterward, but he stayed in the game and will not be forced to miss a start. McCutchen is putting together his best month of the season, slashing .300/.424/.486.

McCutchen, who went 1-for-4 with a walk Friday, appeared to injure his left ankle while rounding third base but remained in the game.

EDGE Analysis

The outfielder tested his ankle following the end of the inning and everything checked out, but it may be something to keep an eye on. Remarkably, McCutchen's .250 batting average is the highest it's been since June 9 -- he's slashed .300/.424/.486 in 86 August plate appearances.

McCutchen went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and two RBI singles -- including the game-winning hit in the 10th inning -- against the Brewers on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

He provided all the offense for the Pirates, including opening the scoring with his first-inning homer -- No. 18 on the year. Although this has been a highly disappointing season for McCutchen on the whole, we've seen a resurgence out of him recently -- over the last 13 games, he's hitting .333 with three homers, 11 RBI and a couple steals. It wouldn't exactly be shocking to see the long-time star streak to the finish line.

McCutchen is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against Houston.

EDGE Analysis

The struggling outfielder doubled in a run in Tuesday's win over the Astros, but he'll take a seat Wednesday, marking his first absence from the lineup since August 4. Starling Marte will get the nod in center field, and he'll bat in McCutchen's usual No. 3 spot in the order.

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with an RBI double, a walk and a run in Tuesday's 7-1 win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen played a key role in Pittsburgh's four-run first inning, doubling in Matt Joyce before coming around to score on Gregory Polanco's single. His .244/.325/.409 line has been disappointing, but the 2013 NL MVP is still batting in the valuable third spot in the Pirates order.