The Pirates have had a handful of different lineup combinations through their first 22 games of the season. Eight different players have hit out of the leadoff spot, five have seen time in the No. 3 hole and seven different cleanup hitters have been utilized. 

Lineup construction has certainly been a hot topic so far this year, and Andrew McCutchen would like to see more stability there. He believes that would ultimately lead to more consistency, using Enmanuel Valdez as an example. Valdez has spent more time hitting out of the cleanup spot in the order and has put together better at-bats, hitting .385 with a home run, six RBIs, four walks and two strikeouts in four games. 

"Valdez was starting to swing the bat a little better, he’s getting a little more playing time. He’s getting more consistent playing time," McCutchen said this morning. "It’s hard to put something on players who maybe haven’t had the opportunity to play and contribute in three or four days and then he’s out there and he’s playing and is expected to have a good game. It’s not that easy, ya know? So, we’re all trying to get our feet under us and find consistency any way that we can individually and when the opportunity comes to play, you try not to put too much pressure on yourself, that’s much easier said than done." 

McCutchen said the more consistency that can be found in the lineup will only benefit the players featured in it. He's aware that once injured players like Spencer Horwitz and Nick Gonzales return to action, there may be more of a consistent lineup, but, "as of right now, we have to work with what we have and go out there and try to get the job done."