Jacob Misiorowski will take the ball for the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres on Saturday, a throwback to the club’s faith in a rookie flame-thrower whose physical state — not just his stuff — could decide how far Milwaukee goes. After a truncated playoff appearance last year, this outing matters because Misiorowski’s health and in-game workload are now central to the Brewers’ postseason plan.
Misiorowski’s first postseason tour was effective but brief: he logged just 12 innings across three appearances in the 2025 NLDS and NLCS, never getting the extended outings the Brewers hoped would tilt a short series. That limited usage followed a regular season that featured both a rapid rise — an All-Star nod after only five starts — and lingering arm fatigue down the stretch.
What’s different this time
This season the right-hander has arrived in October in markedly better shape. He regained the upper-tier velocity that made him a headline-maker, touching triple digits late in September, and finished the regular season with more consistent length on the hill.
Counterfeit watches: $28 million in luxury fakes intercepted at O’Hare
Brewers: Jacob Misiorowski delivers dominant outing that changes rotation outlook
The improvement isn’t just raw speed. Misiorowski cut his walk rate dramatically, helping him stay in counts and attack hitters more aggressively. Even as his strikeout rate eased a bit later in the year, he didn’t sacrifice control; the Brewers’ staff credited improved command for many of his longer outings.
| 2025 (Postseason / Early Track) | 2026 (Regular Season) | |
|---|---|---|
| Postseason workload | 12 innings in 3 appearances | — |
| Starts before All-Star nod | 5 starts | — |
| Top velocity | — | Touched 101 mph late September |
| Durability markers | Limited late due to fatigue | 18 outings of 6+ innings; 25 of 30 starts faced 20+ batters |
| Walk rate (BB%) | 11.4% | 6.6% |
Midseason soreness did force him out of the All-Star Game this year, a reminder that the Brewers have been managing his arm carefully. But front office and coaching signals point toward a more aggressive approach in the postseason: when Misiorowski is allowed to attack the zone and work deep into counts, his presence becomes an outright headache for opposing lineups.
Misiorowski himself has described a mental shift: trimming excess movement between pitches, trusting the strike zone and forcing hitters to swing more often than they wait. That recalibration — better command plus maintained velocity — is why Milwaukee believes he can shoulder heavier innings now.
- Key things to watch in Game 1: whether he can push past six innings; how often he returns to the strike zone early in counts; and whether his velocity stays consistent in the late innings.
- For the Brewers: a lengthy, high-velocity start from Misiorowski would relieve bullpen strain and set the tone for a series where margin is thin.
- For the Padres: neutralizing his early command or forcing long at-bats could expose the limited margins he showed last October.
Milwaukee has not reached the World Series since 1982, and fan expectations have grown alongside Misiorowski’s rise. The immediate question for Saturday night is simple: will the Brewers let their young ace run free, trusting his improved health and command to outduel San Diego, or will they continue the cautious usage that defined parts of last postseason?
Either way, Misiorowski’s start will be a clear indicator of how far the Brewers are prepared to push him — and how far they believe they can go this October.
