It wasn't an ideal start to the season for the star outfielder. As recently as May 6, McCutchen's batting average was .188 -- hardly fit for a four-time All-Star.
But it was still early. He knew there were plenty of games ahead to rebound, and he has.
Since May 6, McCutchen's potency at the plate has risen and so has his batting average. After going 2-for-3 in the series finale against the Mets, the 28-year-old is sitting on a .261 batting average.
Not that turning it around has been necessarily easy. For example, entering the weekend series, the Mets' pitching staff boasted a 3.