Yankees: Andrew McCutchen picking right time to get hot

Former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen gave the Yankees an enormous offensive spark in their 11-0 beatdown of the Blue Jays on Friday night.

If Andrew McCutchen, who was acquired on Aug. 31 to fill in for the injured Aaron Judge, continues to hit the way he did on Friday night versus the Blue Jays, then Yankees manager Aaron Boone will be forced to find him at-bats down the stretch.

Although Judge was activated from the DL and in uniform for the first time since July 26, there’s still no set date on when he’ll be able to face live pitching — meaning he’s the most glorified pinch-runner and defensive replacement in major league baseball.

While some contend that Judge will make his triumphant return to the lineup on Tuesday when the Yankees begin a three-game homestand versus the Red Sox, the suddenly hot bat of Andrew McCutchen will lessen the immediate pressure on Judge to get back to, well, Judge-like productivity.

Coming into Friday’s contest hitting just .152 since his arrival to the Bronx, Cutch was still getting on base at over a .400 clip. For those that believe OBP is a far superior indicator of a player’s productivity rather than batting average — then it was only a matter of time until the five-time All-Star had a true breakout performance.

More from Yankees News

• Yankees top prospects butt heads after Giants’ gritty win over Commanders
• CC Sabathia defends Yankees’ massive Aaron Judge contract
• Scott Boras closed Yankees-Carlos Rodón deal from Fenway Park, put cherry on top
• Orioles are bailing out Yankees and AL East by botching free agency
• Guy who caught Aaron Judge record HR ball cost himself tons of money in auction

Going 3-for-3 with two runs, two walks and a fifth-inning home run would suffice as a stellar showing.

After only 12 games in pinstripes, McCutchen is beginning to look comfortable in his new surroundings (sans facial hair). With his average now at .222, the rest of his slash: .442/.500/.942 should be all the belief Yankee fans need to put their trust in Cutch.

I mean, 12 walks, three HBP, three home runs and six RBIs in only 52 plate appearances are enough for Aaron Boone to sing his praises to the New York Post.

“He’s really starting to swing the bat better over the last week,” Aaron Boone said. “It’s been quality at-bat after quality at-bat. The ability to get on there at the top for us has been big.“I think we’re seeing a guy start to get comfortable. And [it was] a big night by him. It’s really good to see.”