Quick Takeaways from Brewers Starter Jacob Misiorowski Outdueling Paul Skenes

[treego14]

 

You could see that Jacob Misiorowski was pumped up for the challenge of pitching opposite Pirates ace Paul Skenes Wednesday. In the first inning alone, Misiorowski threw six fastballs that touched or exceeded 101 miles per hour, including one that hit 102. The lanky righthander walked the leadoff man and looked slightly shaky out of the gate, getting so focused on the batter that he allowed Pittsburgh's Adam Frazier to steal second base far too easily. Frazier moved over to third base on the first out, a deep fly ball—and then Misiorowski buckled down. With a key strikeout of Spencer Horwitz and another of Nick Gonzales to end the inning, Misiorowski put down the rally without falling behind.

That set the tone for the day. Misiorowski's command was not pristine, but as has been true in each of his previous appearances, his stuff overwhelmed his opponents. Bryan Reynolds had one clean hit, a liner through the right side. Tommy Pham had a cheapier of an infield single that dribbled toward shortstop, too slow to make a play on. Every time there was traffic to deal with, though, Misiorowski locked in and executed brilliantly. His slider had some of the best command he's shown of it, often dancing right on the glove-side edge of the plate.

He also showed good feel for his curveball, the pitch that figures to net him more swings and misses than the slider (or even that superheated fastball) will. He threw just five of them, but got two whiffs out of three swings. With the slider (hard and tight enough to be a cutter, really) to set it up, if Misiorowski can start the curve on the outer half to a righty and let it drop out of the zone low and away, he should get lots of chases, and batters will regret those swings. He also went to the changeup in a couple of tight spots, showing emerging trust in it and reflecting the sound leadership of veteran catcher Eric Haase.

After that first frame, it was a while before we saw 101 again from Misiorowski. He's already showing the ability to operate at 98-99 mph, adding and subtracting as the situation demands. If (as Skenes, his counterpart Wednesday, now does) he can consistently pitch a few ticks below his maximum velocity, it will augur well for his ability to stay healthy and stick in the rotation. It helps tremendously, of course, that his max velocity appears to be pushing 103 mph.

In the fourth, when he needed to get Oneil Cruz out to escape with his shutout intact, Misiorowski dialed up three more fastballs that topped 101 mph, including one at 102.4. He also tried a changeup, which registered at 94.6. It will be important that he learns to dial it up only intentionally, and not just by getting carried away in big moments, but Misiorowski is showing a situational feel for his whole arsenal, which is very exciting. Multiple times, he came off the mound after escaping miniature jams with a shout or fist pump, and an enthusiastic slap of hands with Haase near the dugout.

Now 16 innings into his career, Misiorowski has allowed just three hits and two runs. He struck out eight in his five frames Wednesday, and left with a 4-0 lead. He only needed 74 pitches to get through those innings, too, so his arm should be fairly fresh when he pitches next, likely Tuesday in New York. 

As great as Jackson Chourio is, his game doesn't set the TV on fire quite the way Misiorowski's does. It's been a long time since the Brewers had a player who could become the whole story of a game on a regular basis, and that's what Misiorowski can be. Wednesday provided new evidence of forward progress in his development, and it's clear that he can consistently shut down big-league offenses. If he's also modulating his effort the way he seems to be, then the even better news is that he's giving himself a good chance to stay on the mound deep into this season, and beyond.

 

Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

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[treego14]

This could be one of the all-time young men pitching scenes

WITH

Miz vs. Skenes!

Skenes  may have Olivia Dunne,

BUT

Miz and the Crew will put him on the run

AND

stun and have fun before this one is done!

[torts]

We're going to win this by the skenes of our teeth

[Zad Fnark]

This will be a tense one.  I'll make sure to take my BP meds before it starts.

[BruisedCrew]

This game is being so overhyped that I suspect at least one of the pitchers will have an off game.

One of the concerns I have for Misiorowski is that the Pirates approach at the plate will drive up his pitch count and get him out early. 

[RWeeksFan23]

I'm going to the game today for the first time in forever;

are there any recommendations for free street parking anywhere?

[Brock Beauchamp]

This is why we watch baseball!

[Outlander]

34 minutes ago, RWeeksFan23 said:

I'm going to the game today for the first time in forever;

are there any recommendations for free street parking anywhere?

44th Street near the park is the closest but better get there real early especially on a potential sellout like today. 

[sveumrules]

3 minutes ago, RWeeksFan23 said:

I'm going to the game today for the first time in forever;

are there any recommendations for free street parking anywhere?

Couple potential spots depending which direction you’re coming from.

Haven’t parked there in a bit, but used to street park on 51st, 52nd, 53rd between Wisconsin and Bluemound.

From there it’s a pretty short walk through Mitchell Boulevard Park and then the parking lot west of the stadium.

More recently I’ve been doing Roundhouse Road off Canal Street, easier if you’re coming from south or east of the stadium.

There’s a No Parking 2 Hours Before / After Stadium Events sign when you first turn onto Roundhouse, then there is a long stretch of curb east of the Palermo’s driveway with no such signage where I normally park.

Got my first ever ticket there the home opener this year ($40 currently on appeal) but have parked there a hundred plus times before without getting one and have parked there again this year since the home opener without getting another ticket.

[Brian]

2 hours ago, BruisedCrew said:

This game is being so overhyped that I suspect at least one of the pitchers will have an off game.

One of the concerns I have for Misiorowski is that the Pirates approach at the plate will drive up his pitch count and get him out early. 

It's about time the Brewers and Pirates get some national coverage.  I'm sick of all the national attention on the Yankees, Dodgers, Mets, Cubs. 

[Frisbee Slider]

Murphy: ‘Haase, you have one at bat in the last two weeks. You’re starting today against Paul Skenes.’

[willie key]

14 minutes ago, Frisbee Slider said:

Murphy: ‘Haase, you have one at bat in the last two weeks. You’re starting today against Paul Skenes.’

Haase needs to play for a couple of weeks now.  Quit trying to milk this Contreras injury

[LouisEly]

3 hours ago, RWeeksFan23 said:

I'm going to the game today for the first time in forever;

are there any recommendations for free street parking anywhere?

I used to park around Greenfield and 53rd where a friend of mine used to live and walk through the VA grounds.  It was about a 15-20 minute walk.  Heard that there may be parking around Roosevelt Park and from there take the Hank Aaron State Trail to the stadium.

[Brian]

41 minutes ago, Frisbee Slider said:

Murphy: ‘Haase, you have one at bat in the last two weeks. You’re starting today against Paul Skenes.’

Maybe it has something to do with his fractured finger/hand and Miso throwing 100+ mph. 

[Playing Catch]

3 hours ago, BruisedCrew said:

This game is being so overhyped that I suspect at least one of the pitchers will have an off game.

One of the concerns I have for Misiorowski is that the Pirates approach at the plate will drive up his pitch count and get him out early. 

It's going to be funny when the Pirates and Brewers dink and dunk, bunt and run the two phenoms off the bump in the 4th inning.

[BruisedCrew]

Has haase ever caught Misioroski?

 

 

[Sixtolezcano]

3 hours ago, RWeeksFan23 said:

I'm going to the game today for the first time in forever;

are there any recommendations for free street parking anywhere?

I agree with Sveumrules anywhere between 53rd and 48th street between Wisconsin and Bluemound, if you don’t mind the short hike. It’s been a couple of decades since I walked that route to County Stadium but it worked well, not sure if parking restrictions have changed since the 80’s though.  I had a girlfriend that lived on 50th and Wisconsin and always parked in her driveway, but after we broke up that was always a go to neighborhood behind her house. Brings back a lot of memories. Have a great time buddy. Go Brew Crew.

[Brian]

1 minute ago, BruisedCrew said:

Has haase ever caught Misioroski?

 

 

I'm sure he did in Nashville. 

[treego14]

4 hours ago, RWeeksFan23 said:

I'm going to the game today for the first time in forever;

are there any recommendations for free street parking anywhere?

Park at home, and walk to the game?

[Team Canada]

2 minutes ago, treego14 said:

Park at home, and walk to the game?

Would he be asking if he lived near the stadium?

[sveumrules]

19 minutes ago, Brian said:

I'm sure he did in Nashville. 

Haase's last game in Nashville was June 23rd last year.

Misio didn't make his Nashville debut until August 3rd.

[Team Canada]

27 minutes ago, Brian said:

Maybe it has something to do with his fractured finger/hand and Miso throwing 100+ mph. 

I highly doubt it. It's a day game after a night game and he hasn't sat in a while. He needs a day off.

[owbc]

Most hyped Pirates/Brewers game of all time? 

[CheezWizHed]

[Brian]

7 minutes ago, Team Canada said:

I highly doubt it. It's a day game after a night game and he hasn't sat in a while. He needs a day off.