The World Series opener has a 36-year-old surprise facing baseball's most electric arm originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 World Series is already guaranteed to produce something baseball has not seen in decades. Either the Milwaukee Brewers or Tampa Bay Rays will celebrate the first championship in franchise history, and the opening pitching matchup might be just as unusual as the teams competing for the trophy.
On one side stands Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee's 24-year-old flamethrower who spent the regular season overwhelming hitters with extraordinary velocity. On the other is Nick Martinez, a 36-year-old veteran who was not necessarily the pitcher fans expected Tampa Bay to hand the ball to for the biggest game of its season.
The contrast is almost too good for a Hollywood script. One pitcher can throw harder than practically anyone in baseball, while the other has built a career around experience, adjustments and finding different ways to get hitters out.
Tampa Bay passed over its ace for a surprising choice
Rays manager Kevin Cash could have started Drew Rasmussen in Friday's opener. Rasmussen had already handled Game 1 assignments earlier in the postseason and was available on regular rest. Instead, Tampa Bay decided to give him another day before his next appearance.
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That decision created an opportunity for Martinez, who posted a 15-6 record and 3.10 ERA over 180 innings during the regular season. The veteran also earned his first All-Star selection, a remarkable achievement for a pitcher who has spent years moving through different roles and organizations.
Martinez has already rewarded Tampa Bay's confidence this postseason. In Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against Cleveland, he allowed one run on two hits over 5 1/3 innings. The Rays will be hoping that same combination of composure and command can help neutralize Milwaukee's offense.
There is another interesting detail about the veteran. Martinez has made a habit of organizing team dinners during road trips, helping build relationships away from the ballpark. His teammates have nicknamed him "El Presidente," an appropriate title for someone who has become an important clubhouse presence.
Milwaukee's young star has a completely different weapon
Misiorowski does not need much introduction to anyone who has watched him pitch this season. The right-hander led Major League Baseball with a 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts and a 0.80 WHIP. Opponents hit just .157 against him during the regular season.
His velocity is even more astonishing. During the National League Division Series against San Diego, Misiorowski threw a 104.8-mph pitch, the fastest recorded postseason offering of the pitch-tracking era. That kind of power gives Milwaukee an obvious advantage when its young starter is locating his pitches.
However, there is a potential weakness Tampa Bay can exploit. The Padres and Dodgers both forced Misiorowski into elevated pitch counts during his first two postseason starts, repeatedly fouling off pitches and extending at-bats. The Brewers' ace was effective at limiting damage but did not work deep into either game.
That creates an intriguing tactical battle. Tampa Bay might not need to hit Misiorowski particularly hard if it can make him throw enough pitches to reach Milwaukee's bullpen earlier than planned.
MORE: Freddy Peralta's World Series opponent makes Rays ALCS MVP story even better
A World Series matchup nobody would have predicted
There is something refreshing about a Fall Classic featuring two franchises still chasing their first championship. The Brewers last appeared in the World Series in 1982, while Tampa Bay previously reached baseball's biggest stage in 2008 and 2020.
Friday's matchup is also a reminder that baseball does not always reward the biggest names or most expensive rosters. Milwaukee and Tampa Bay have constructed winning teams through pitching development, smart roster decisions and complementary styles of play.
Martinez and Misiorowski represent two completely different routes to the same opportunity. One is a veteran who has spent years earning his place. The other is a young pitcher with the kind of arm that makes radar guns look broken.
Only one can win Game 1, but both have already made this World Series opener considerably more interesting than an ordinary pitching matchup.
More MLB news:
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- Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski made MLB playoff history three times with 104+ mph pitches
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- Red Sox's top offseason need highlights a big power-hitting problem