Misiorowski’s 103.5mph pitch sets World Series record as Brewers win Game 1

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski threw the fastest recorded pitch in World Series history as the Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 1 of the 122nd World Series at American Family Field on Friday. It was Milwaukee's second appearance in the series and their first since 1982.

Misiorowski led Major League Baseball with 252 strikeouts in the regular season and, at 24, became the youngest starter since 1997 to win a World Series opener. The crowd at American Family Field exceeded seating capacity, with the stadium listed at 41,900 seats and 43,250 fans in attendance including standing-room-only tickets. This matchup is only the second time in more than a century that neither World Series team has previously won the title.

Misiorowski limited the Rays to a single run across five innings. His hardest pitch was clocked at 103.5 mph, a new World Series record that surpasses Aroldis Chapman’s 103.2 mph mark set in 2016; pitch speeds have been recorded since 2008. "It was amazing - just to have the city behind me, it means the world, we couldn't ask for anything better," Misiorowski said.

Designated hitter Christian Yelich scored one run and drove in another to put Milwaukee ahead 3-1. The Rays added a run in the ninth and reached third base with a chance to tie, but Milwaukee preserved the one-run victory. "It feels great. The guys settled in right away and did a great job," Yelich said. "We've still got a ways to go but nice to get that first one."

Milwaukee advanced to the World Series by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 to claim the National League title. Tampa Bay clinched the American League pennant with a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians to reach the post-season finale for only the third time; the Rays previously lost in 2008 and to the Dodgers in 2020. "We came up a little bit short, but there's some benefit maybe from a loss," said Rays manager Kevin Cash.

The best-of-seven series continues with Milwaukee hosting Game 2 on Saturday before the teams travel to Florida for three games and then return to Milwaukee for the final two contests, if needed.