What happened: Casey Schmitt wasted no time setting the tone, crushing a leadoff home run on the very first pitch of the game. The immediate blast gave his team a sudden early lead and disrupted the opposing starter's rhythm.
Why it matters: Early run support changes the complexion of the game, forcing the opposition to play from behind from the opening at-bat. For Schmitt, jumping on the first pitch demonstrates aggressive plate discipline that paid off immediately.
By the numbers: Schmitt's blast rewarded those anticipating early action and instantly altered in-game win probabilities from the opening pitch.
What to watch: Schmitt will look to build on this aggressive approach in his subsequent plate appearances, while the opposing pitcher must quickly regroup to prevent further damage.