Jacob Misiorowski historically opened the 2026 World Series Friday night at American Family Field, unleashing a 103.5 mph four-seam fastball on the very first pitch of the Fall Classic.
The 24-year-old Milwaukee Brewers right-hander delivered the offering to Tampa Bay Rays leadoff hitter Yandy Diaz, and it sailed high out of the strike zone for a ball.
Stadium video boards listed the pitch at 103.4 mph, but MLB’s Statcast system officially clocked it at 103.5, establishing a new record for the fastest pitch ever recorded in World Series history since tracking began in 2008.
The mark eclipsed the previous standard of 103.2 mph set by Aroldis Chapman of the Chicago Cubs in the ninth inning of Game 2 in 2016. It also far surpassed the prior high by a starting pitcher in the Series, Noah Syndergaard’s 101.1 mph fastball for the New York Mets in 2015.
Misiorowski’s heat set an immediate tone, as he reached 100 mph with 38 pitches overall—the most in any World Series game during the tracking era—while averaging elite velocity throughout his outing.
The Brewers right-hander worked five innings, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three. He departed with a 2-1 lead, and Milwaukee held on for a 3-2 victory in Game 1.
Misiorowski later described the adrenaline of the moment, saying he still did not fully know how he felt and was still trying to take everything in. Rays manager Kevin Cash called him a special pitcher after the performance.
