although I don't agree with it, I can understand why Mench and Estrada are always swinging at first pitches. Theoretically, a pitcher wants to get ahead of a hitter. Thus, they are more likely to throw a strike with the first pitch to a batter, or at least come close. Now, granted, not every pitcher does this with resounding success, which is where Mench and Estrada are in the wrong. They're swinging at first pitches like it's batting practice, sometimes without regard to where said first pitch is located. Thus, popups and weak grounders result. But notice that sometimes, they are right on it and hit it hard (either a hit or an out). They played their percentages correctly on those at bats, that the pitcher did, indeed, throw a good first pitch strike. Again, I'm not condoning it. I, too, agree that they need to take some pitches and work the count a little bit at least. But I can at least sort of see their reasoning (if it is, in fact, their reasoning) for swinging at the first pitch.