Cuddyer looks comfortable in No. 2 spot

By Tracy Ringolsby and Thomas Harding

April 4, 2014

DENVER -- With an RBI single in the first inning on Friday, Michael Cuddyer celebrated his move into the No. 2 spot in the lineup by hitting safely in his fifth straight game to open the season.

Cuddyer won the National League batting title last year, primarily hitting fourth and fifth in the lineup.

"I don't feel like I need to do anything differently," Cuddyer said of the move to the two-hole. "My feeling is [manager] Walt [Weiss] felt I had the skill set to hit second. I need to approach hitting the same no matter what spot in the lineup."

Whether Cuddyer remains the No. 2 hitter depends more on how Justin Morneau, Wilin Rosario and Nolan Arenado handle their jobs in the fifth, sixth and seventh spots.

"He is a professional hitter," Weiss said of Cuddyer.

Tracy Ringolsby is a columnist for MLB.com. Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @harding_at_mlb.