World Series 2026: Jacob Misiorowski throws fastest pitch in recorded Fall Classic history at 103.5 mph

As expected, Jacob Misiorowski brought some record heat to MLB’s biggest stage.

The Milwaukee Brewers ace fired a 103.5 mph fastball to Tampa Bay Rays leadoff hitter Yandy Díaz to open the 2026 World Series on Friday, the fastest pitch in the recorded history of the Fall Classic according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs. MLB’s pitch tracking goes back to 2008.

This season has seen Misiorowski enter the record books in a number of ways when it comes to throwing the ball hard. He still hasn’t topped Aroldis Chapman’s overall pitch speed record of 105.9 mph, but he came 0.4 mph short at 105.5 mph in June. That was still the fastest pitch ever thrown by a starting pitcher, and the third-hardest overall.

It also took Misiorowski only one pitch to break the MLB postseason pitch velocity record, as his 104.8 mph fastball to open Game 1 of the NLDS represents the new high watermark.

As impressive as Misiorowski’s fastest pitches have been, where he really stands out in history is how often he is able to hit triple digits. He had 52 pitches faster than 100 mph in Game 1 of the NLDS alone, then 44 in Game 1 of the NLCS. After only five appearances (three starts) in 2025 and 2025, he is already second in MLB history in 100-mph pitches in the postseason.