McCutchen called for Tuesday's official scorer to be fired after he was charged with an error on a line drive to center field. "He smoked it. It was a knuckleball," McCutchen told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I did what I could to try to catch it. Whoever scored that an error should be fired. That's unbelievable. I'd like him to try to catch that one."

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen, who later apologized, went 2-for-5 with a double in Tuesday's loss to the Cubs. Since slugging three homers in Colorado, the outfielder has slashed .207/.303/.379 in his last seven games. Slow starts have become an annual spring rite for McCutchen but he's always warmed up with the weather.

McCutchen, who went 1-for-4 with a walk and run scored Sunday, appeared to tweak a knee while sliding into home plate -- though he stayed in the game.

EDGE Analysis

He stuck in the wet dirt and was attended to by the team's trainer. Since socking three homers in one game against Colorado, the center fielder has just three hits in his last 17 at-bats. McCutchen is too good to be sitting at .227 much longer. He's certainly happy to put April in the rear view mirror: he's compiled his worst numbers in the month (.255/.343/.423).

McCutchen slammed three home runs as part of a 3-for-5 game with five RBI in Tuesday's win over the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Whether it was Monday's day off or a chance to hit at Coors Field, something woke up McCutchen's bat in a big way. McCutchen entered Tuesday with a brutal .213/.337/.347 line and exited hitting .238/.351/.475. With a player as talented as McCutchen, we knew it was just a matter of time until he figured it out. McCutchen has posted at least a .290 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, and .480 slugging percentage in each of the past four seasons.

McCutchen is not in the starting lineup Monday night against the Rockies, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's McCutchen's first day off of the 2016 season. Starling Marte will slide over to play center field, while Matt Joyce draws into the lineup and hits second for the Pirates on Monday against Rockies right-hander Chad Bettis.

McCutchen went 1-for-6 with four strikeouts Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

He's struggling right now, with opposing pitchers challenging him with 92-mph fastballs -- and winning. McCutchen has whiffed 19 times in his last 12 games and has just six extra-base hits in 89 at-bats in 2016. Manager Clint Hurdle has started him in each of the team's first 19 games, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him get a day off in the near future. That said, Monday's begins a four-game set in hitter-friendly Colorado, which could be the perfect tonic for McCutchen's slump.

McCutchen, who went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts Wednesday, is batting .059 in 17 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

EDGE Analysis

He's hit a pair of solo homers in the past week but has otherwise struggled, striking out 12 times in eight games. McCutchen is slashing .237/.348/.407 in the early going. He's gone 1-for-4 with a pair of walks against Thursday starter James Shields.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a walk, while also scoring twice and stealing his first base of the season Tuesday in San Diego.

EDGE Analysis

Those who drafted McCutchen for his combination of power and speed were surely starting to get a little antsy, but he has quelled any fears with a pair of homers and a steal in the last three games. The 2013 NL MVP swiped just 11 bags in 2015 after getting at least 18 in each of his six previous seasons, but it'd be shocking if he didn't end up breaking double digits once again at age 29.

McCutchen went deep Sunday for his second homer in as many days against Milwaukee.

EDGE Analysis

Unfortunately for fantasy owners, the solo home run was his lone hit in six official at-bats -- he twice was retired with the bases loaded. McCutchen is also still looking for his first stolen base after being thrown out for the second time in two attempts Sunday.

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and a walk Saturday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen finally connected for his first homer of the season in the fifth inning to give the Pirates an insurance run in a winning effort. After a slow start, he's now posted extra-base hits in three of his last four contests while also hitting safely in four straight games.

After going hitless with two strikeouts in four at-bats Tuesday, McCutchen is batting .258 with no homers and one RBI.

EDGE Analysis

Batting second, McCutchen is tied with the Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez for the league lead in plate appearances (37). He's just missed hitting several homers, but his soft contact percentage (25.9 percent) is nearly double his career norm (13.7 percent). McCutchen is looking to start strong after a slow start last season but so far the results have been ordinary.