American Family Field is set to open the National League Division Series with a radar-gun show that could push October into new territory. The Brewers and Padres begin Game 1 on Saturday night, and the matchup brings together the two pitchers who produced the most pitches at 100 mph or better during the regular season: Milwaukee starter Jacob Misiorowski and San Diego closer Mason Miller.
October heat arrives in Milwaukee
Game 1 is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. local time and 5:30 p.m. PT, with FS1, FOX Deportes and FOX One carrying the telecast. Misiorowski is in line to start, while Miller could be waiting at the back end of the Padres bullpen. Between them, the series has the potential to send an unusual amount of triple-digit velocity toward the plate.
- The postseason-series record is 56 pitches at 100 mph or higher, set in the 2016 NLDS between the Giants and Cubs.
- Aroldis Chapman accounted for 55 of those pitches, while Hunter Strickland threw the remaining one.
- The Brewers-Cubs NLDS last year finished just short of that mark with 55; Misiorowski threw 41 and Daniel Palencia had 14.
- Misiorowski alone surpassed 56 triple-digit pitches in four separate starts this season.
Misiorowski said his fastball and Miller’s may share a number on the scoreboard, but they do not reach hitters in the same fashion. He described Miller as overpowering opponents through pure force, while his own delivery is aimed at getting farther out front and releasing the ball closer to the hitter.
For the 24-year-old right-hander, reaching 99, 100 or 101 mph has become a remarkably calm part of his workday. He said that range often feels like he is simply throwing with an easy effort, the result of how he learned to pitch.
Misiorowski’s season leads the way
No pitcher piled up more 100-plus mph offerings this year than Misiorowski. In fact, he owned each of the 24 biggest individual regular-season pitching performances in that category. His full-season total ranked first in the pitch-tracking era, while Miller’s ranked fourth.
Only four pitchers have ever reached 500 pitches at 100 mph or more in one season since tracking began: Misiorowski, Miller, Jordan Hicks and Chapman.
| Pitcher | 2026 regular-season results cited |
|---|---|
| Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers | 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts; both figures led the Majors |
| Mason Miller, Padres | 1.67 ERA, 129 strikeouts in 70 innings, 38 saves |
Miller’s impact has been especially striking in shorter outings. Among relievers, he was responsible for 21 of the 85 appearances in which a pitcher threw at least 10 pitches at triple-digit velocity.
More than a number on the board
Miller said Misiorowski’s ability to carry premium velocity deep into starts is impressive, but he put the greater emphasis on the Brewer’s command. In Miller’s view, Misiorowski is most dangerous when he confidently attacks the zone with the fastball and lets it fly.
He also singled out Misiorowski’s extension and spin as traits that make the pitch play differently. The Milwaukee right-hander releases the baseball nearer to home plate, and Miller believes both of them do a good job of concealing the ball before it is on its way.
- Miller sees Misiorowski’s strike throwing as central to his effectiveness.
- Misiorowski’s extension allows the pitch to get on hitters quickly.
- Both pitchers are regarded as difficult to pick up out of the hand.
- Velocity alone does not fully explain the challenge facing the hitters.
Brewers second baseman Brice Turang called Miller’s fastball heavy, noting that a pitch reading 103 or 104 mph can feel every bit as fast as the display suggests. Some pitchers touch 100 without creating that same sensation, he said; Miller is not one of them.
Milwaukee’s Jake Bauers added that Miller’s physical presence only adds to the difficulty. Bauers called the Padres reliever the best in the game and said the hitter’s assignment is to put together a quality plate appearance, then live with the result.
Keeping the at-bat from getting rushed
Brewers manager Pat Murphy’s concern is not merely the speed itself. The danger, he believes, is allowing velocity to hurry a hitter mentally. His approach is to see the pitch, identify the strike zone and remain prepared without letting the moment become emotional.
Padres manager Craig Stammen, who pitched in the Major Leagues, understands why the matchup has such appeal. He said the chance to throw 100 mph is what young players dream about when they watch the game, simply because it is exciting.
The hitters entering this series may describe it less romantically. With Misiorowski scheduled to begin the opener and Miller available to close the door, the Brewers and Padres are positioned to give them plenty of opportunities to confront baseball’s hardest heat.
