LEADING OFF

CLUTCH MCCUTCH: Pirates star Andrew McCutchen has recently hit his stride. After a season-long slump that lasted until late May, he has gone 13 for 33 (.394) with three home runs in his last 10 games. The former MVP’s surge started right before he was dropped to the sixth spot in the lineup. He’ll try to keep up his success when Pittsburgh plays the Orioles beginning today at Camden Yards. ROLLIN’ ROBBIE: Arizona lefty Robbie Ray has thrown 23⅔ scoreless innings while winning three straight starts, all of them on the road. He’ll pitch at home for the Diamondbacks against Padres rookie Dinelson Lamet — the 24-year-old righty has won his two big league starts, both times striking out eight in five innings.

TANAKA’S TROUBLES: The Red Sox visit Yankee Stadium for the first time this season, taking on Masahiro Tanaka and the AL East leaders. Tanaka has lost four straight starts, giving up 22 runs, 30 hits and eight home runs in 17⅔ innings. But on April 27, he threw a three-hit shutout at Fenway Park, making him 6-2 in 11 career starts against Boston.

HEY THERE: Dillon Gee makes his first start for Texas when his former Mets teammates come to town. Gee spent parts of six seasons with New York and pitched for Kansas City last year. He’s made two relief appearances for the Rangers.