Brief

Brewers and Rays open World Series as Misiorowski seeks record fastball

Jacob Misiorowski pitches the first game of the World Series, hoping to set a new velocity record as the Brewers face the Rays on Friday night.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:46:24 GMT

The Milwaukee Brewers will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the opening game of the 2026 World Series on Friday night, with rookie right‑hander Jacob Misiorowski slated to throw the first pitch, according to the Independent.

Misiorowski, a 24‑year‑old making his first full major‑league season, has already logged a 105.5 mph fastball – the fastest he has thrown all year – to Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong on June 27. The Independent notes that this speed could eclipse the World Series record of 101.1 mph set by Noah Syndergaard in 2015 and the overall Series high of 103.2 mph by Aroldis Chapman in 2016.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy introduced Misiorowski to the media on Thursday, saying, “Forrest Gump, everyone.” The pitcher replied, “I’m still fresh to this and have no idea what the hell is going on.” Rays manager Kevin Cash added, “I’m excited to see two great teams that play the game a little differently than maybe it’s been played the last decade or so.”

The matchup pits two low‑payroll clubs seeking their first championship. Milwaukee is playing its first World Series since 1982, while Tampa Bay’s last appearances were in 2020 and 2008. Both clubs rely on unconventional strategies: the Brewers recorded the league‑lowest home‑run percentage (32.1 % of runs) and the Rays posted the fewest strikeouts among all teams.

Misiorowski’s postseason record includes 1,115 pitches at 100 mph or higher this season, shattering the previous high of 673 such pitches since tracking began in 2008. He has not completed the fifth inning in either of his two prior postseason starts, and batters have swung at 94 of his 182 postseason pitches, fouling off 51.

Key facts

Jacob Misiorowski will start for the Brewers in the World Series opener on Friday. (independent.co.uk)
Misiorowski threw a 105.5 mph fastball to Pete Crow‑Armstrong on June 27, the fastest of his season. (independent.co.uk)
The Brewers and Rays are both seeking their first World Series title. (independent.co.uk)
Pat Murphy introduced Misiorowski to the media, and Kevin Cash expressed excitement about the series. (independent.co.uk)
The Brewers recorded the lowest home‑run percentage of any team this season, while the Rays had the fewest strikeouts. (independent.co.uk)