McCutchen went 3-for-5 with a homer, a double, and four RBI in the Pirates' blowout win over the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen lead the offense while starter Gerrit Cole threw a dominating three-hit complete game. McCutchen entered the game mired in a 4-for-26 slump, which he broke out of with authority. Despite hitting just .241/.314/.405 entering Wednesday's contest, the Pirates have kept faith in their star centerfielder, continuing to bat him third in the order. Fantasy owners should keep faith as well, and hope Wednesday's performance is a sign of better days ahead for McCutchen.

McCutchen is out of the lineup Sunday against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen will get the day off after making 15 straight starts in center field, and going 1-for-7 at the plate during the first two games of the series. A cold start for McCutchen has led into a July in which his OPS (.725) is the same Sunday as it was back on the first of the month. While the outfielder gets a maintenance day, Starling Marte will cover for him in center field, while Matt Joyce draws the start in right.

McCutchen reached base three times Thursday, going 2-for-3 with a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Typically this doesn't represent much news for a career .293 hitter, but Cutch has put up 0-for-5 and 0-for-8 efforts in two of his last three games. The free pass was just McCutchen's second in ten games -- his 8.7 percent walk rate is well below his career average of 11.8 percent. He compiled a 14.3 percent rate just one season ago.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 and stole his third base of the season Friday in Washington.

EDGE Analysis

The center fielder's stolen base was just his third in eight attempts and his head-first slide shows he might be getting a bit more aggressive on the bases. McCutchen holds a modest four-game hitting streak (7-for-16) with three extra-base hits as he tries to rebound from a miserable first half.

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's loss to the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

The homer was his second in as many games and 14th of the season, and McCutchen closed out the first half with an impressive .314/.375/.543 line through nine July games. If he can stay healthy after the All-Star break, he still has time to put up some big numbers and justify his preseason ADP.

McCutchen went 2-for-5 with a solo homer, three RBI and a run in Saturday's 12-6 victory over the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

He evened things up at four apiece in the third with a 419-foot shot off Jon Lester, his first long ball since June 25. McCutchen came back to add the go-ahead runs in the next frame with a clutch single that plated Eric Fryer and Jody Mercer, snapping a 5-5 tie. The 29-year-old slugger now has consecutive multi-hit outings, and his slashing .313/.389/.469 overall in 32 July at-bats.

McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a double and RBI in Friday's 8-4 victory over the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

It was the second multi-hit outing in the last four for the veteran slugger, who's endured a tough season at the plate and a variety of injuries this season. He's showing signs of picking it up so far in July, slashing .296/.387/.370 over 27 at-bats.

McCutchen (heel) will return to the lineup Monday according to manager Clint Hurdle, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen's ailment must have proven to be minor, as he'll return to action after just one day off. He'll presumably return to center field for the afternoon matchup against the Cardinals.

Updating a previous report, McCutchen is out of the lineup due to a heel injury, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although the injury isn't expected to be serious, it's logical to consider the fact that some discomfort may have played a role in McCutchen's recent struggles. He'll get the day off Sunday to rest the ailment, and should be considered day-to-day heading into Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals. In his stead Sunday, manager Clint Hurdle will start an outfield composed of Adam Frazier (left), Starling Marte (center) and Matt Joyce (right), while Gregory Polanco serves as the DH.

McCutchen is out of the lineup Sunday against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Even with the DH option possible while playing in an AL ballpark, McCutchen will get the day off while Starling Marte gets the nod in center field. The veteran received just two days off in the month of June, and with back-to-back day games on tap, the timing was right for a maintenance day Sunday. McCutchen batted just .202 in the month of June, but has so far hit safely in two July games.