The first pitch of any at-bat is crucial. The pitcher wants to get ahead with strike one. The hitter wants to get something to hit. In many cases, it can set the tone for the whole plate appearance.

Matthew Schaefer met the Mets on Monday, throwing out the first pitch at Citi Field ahead of the New York Mets game against the Cleveland Guardians. Schaefer, who signed a three-year, entry-level ...

Pete Crow-Armstrong walks up to the plate ready to hit from the start. Same goes for Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos. Ceddanne Rafaela, too. They are the kings of swinging at the first pitch — and ...