Brewers Win World Series as Misiorowski Relies on Command, Not Speed, to Close Out Rays
The 24-year-old right-hander threw 86 pitches, 51 of them at 100 mph or faster, but walked away with a calf cramp after 5 2/3 scoreless innings.
By Marta Gray ·
Jacob Misiorowski did not overpower the Tampa Bay Rays with velocity. He managed the game. The 24-year-old Milwaukee Brewer recorded just two strikeouts, tying his career low, yet held Tampa Bay to two runs over 5 2/3 innings. The Brewers won Game 5, 4-1, to secure their first World Series title.
Misiorowski left the mound with a four-run lead. He was accompanied by head athletic trainer Brad Epstein after suffering a cramp in his right calf. The injury mirrors the ailment that forced him from two starts in May. The grounds crew made several trips to the mound during the outing to repair a divot created by the pitcher's long stride.
The right-hander threw 51 of his 86 pitches at 100 mph or higher. Thirty of those reached 101 mph or more. A dozen touched 102 mph, and two hit 103 mph in the first inning. He said he felt like throwing up when he woke up that morning. His fiancée helped him get through the day, he said.
"It was insane," Misiorowski said. "I felt awful. My fiancée was amazing today. She helped me out, get through this and really made sure I got what I needed. It was amazing."
Catcher William Contreras, the World Series MVP, said Misiorowski deserves the success coming his way. Contreras specifically mentioned the Cy Young Award that is likely to follow the season. The Brewers' starter posted a 0.84 ERA in the postseason with two wins and no losses. He struck out five batters in 10 2/3 innings.
The season was record-setting for the pitcher. He threw 1,115 pitches at 100 mph or higher, shattering the previous high of 673 set by Jordan Hicks in 2018. His fastest pitch was 105.5 mph, thrown to Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs on June 27. Misiorowski went 16-5 in the regular season, leading the majors in ERA, strikeouts, and opponents' batting average.
He pitched 193 2/3 innings over the regular season and playoffs, up from 141 1/3 the prior year. The physical toll was visible in his postseason performance, where batters fouled off many of his pitches. The next major award ceremony is scheduled for next month.
