Misiorowski Starts World Series Game 1 Amid Fastball Break Concerns — SkimNews
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- Jacob Misiorowski will start Game 1 of the World Series for the Milwaukee Brewers, the team announced Tuesday, marking his first start in 11 days.
- Misiorowski led MLB in ERA (1.80) and strikeouts (252) during the regular season but failed to complete five innings in either of his two postseason starts due to high pitch counts.
- Misiorowski's fastball has seen a drop in induced vertical break (IVB) from 14.7 inches to 13.4 inches in the postseason, reducing swing-and-miss rates despite unchanged velocity.
- The Brewers have not announced their full World Series rotation, though Logan Henderson is likely to start Game 2 after following Misiorowski in both the NLDS and NLCS.
- Misiorowski averages 7.6 feet of extension on his fastball — the most in MLB — leveraging his 6-foot-7 frame to release the ball closer to the plate than any other pitcher.
Why it matters: Misiorowski’s effectiveness hinges on the 'life' of his fastball, and a measurable drop in IVB — not velocity or mechanics alone — explains his shorter outings. If the Brewers are to win the Series, their ace must reestablish the pitch dynamics that made him unhittable in the regular season, starting with Game 1.
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