Jacob Misiorowski Sets World Series Velocity Record in Game 1
Definitely flame,
said Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski when asked what type of energy he would bring to the mound, according to MLB.com. Twenty-four hours later, the 24-year-old right-hander lived up to that promise by throwing a 103.5 m.p.h. fastball to Tampa Bay Rays leadoff hitter Yandy Díaz on Friday night, breaking the record for the fastest pitch in World Series history. sportsnet.ca reported that the pitch, taken for a ball above the strike zone, surpassed the previous Fall Classic mark of 103.2 m.p.h. set by Aroldis Chapman of the Chicago Cubs in 2016.
The opening offering at American Family Field established a new standard for velocity on baseball’s biggest stage since pitch tracking began in 2008. According to MLB.com, Misiorowski easily eclipsed the previous record for the fastest pitch by a World Series starting pitcher, which Noah Syndergaard held at 101.1 m.p.h. for the New York Mets in 2015.
Fastball Dominance Against the Tampa Bay Rays
Misiorowski did not ease into his first World Series appearance. Of his 13 pitches in the opening frame, 11 were four-seam fastballs, with ten registering above 101 m.p.h. and five topping 102 m.p.h. The flamethrower finished his night having thrown 38 pitches at 100 m.p.h. or harder, breaking Chapman’s 2016 high of 24 pitches in a single World Series game.
Unprecedented GAS 🔥Jacob Misiorowski's 1st pitch was 103.5 MPH, fastest #WorldSeries pitch in the pitch-tracking era! https://t.co/mOk76rWqad pic.twitter.com/Ew7JdeCGCc
He’s been really good,
Brewers manager Pat Murphy said in an in-game interview with FOX, as reported by MLB.com. Just gotta give [catcher] William [Contreras] a ton of credit because William can jockey him through — he trusts William, and that relationship has paid off in the first three innings.
Tampa Bay managed to scratch across a run in the fourth inning when Jonathan Aranda walked, advanced on a double by Junior Caminero, and scored on a grounder by Liam Hicks. Despite that sequence, Misiorowski held the Rays to one run and four hits across five innings, striking out three batters and walking one before handing over a 2-1 lead to the bullpen. The Brewers ultimately held on for a 3-2 victory to take a 1-0 series lead in their first Fall Classic appearance since 1982.
Brewers barrel through Rays in Game 1 after 44-year World Series waithttps://t.co/RUjZN8shTS
Historic Season of Triple-Digit Velocity
The record-breaking opening pitch continuation of a season defined by extreme velocity. Misiorowski averaged 100.6 m.p.h. with his four-seam fastball during the regular season, setting a mark for a qualified starting pitcher while posting a 16-5 record, a 1.80 ERA, and a Major League-best 252 strikeouts.
Prior to Friday’s milestone, Misiorowski also set the postseason velocity record during the National League Division Series opener on Oct. 3 against the San Diego Padres, touching 104.8 m.p.h. to Fernando Tatis Jr. That eclipsed the previous playoff mark of 104.5 m.p.h. set by San Diego reliever Mason Miller.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Opening Game
Who held the previous World Series velocity record before Jacob Misiorowski?
Aroldis Chapman held the previous record at 103.2 m.p.h., which he threw in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 2016 World Series for the Chicago Cubs against Cleveland Indians batter Coco Crisp.
How many pitches did Misiorowski throw over 100 m.p.h. during Game 1?
Misiorowski reached 100 m.p.h. with 38 of his pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays, breaking the previous World Series single-game high of 24 set by Chapman in 2016.
Who are the projected starting pitchers for the remainder of the series?
For Tampa Bay, Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta are expected to take the ball for Games 2 and 3, while Logan Henderson is the likely Game 2 starter for the Milwaukee Brewers, though official pitching plans for Milwaukee remain unannounced.
More on Jacob Misiorowski
Jacob Misiorowski makes IMMEDIATE history with a 103 MPH fastball on the first pitch of the game, the fastest ever thrown by a starter in the World Series. 🔥Stream on @FOXOne. pic.twitter.com/BCJAbY8VRZ