Jacob Misiorowski, the National League Cy Young favorite, officially received the nod to start Game 1 of the World Series for the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. The Tampa Bay Rays, American League champions, have yet to announce their Game 1 starter, although ace Drew Rasmussen is expected to pitch on normal rest.

At just 24 years old, Misiorowski had a remarkable regular season, leading the league with an ERA of 1.80 and an impressive 252 strikeouts. However, his postseason performance has been challenging; he has not completed five innings in either of his starts due to high pitch counts, with 88 pitches in 4 innings during Game 1 of the NLDS and 94 pitches in 4 ⅓ innings in Game 1 of the NLCS.

Despite his struggles, Misiorowski's fastball velocity remains high, but his induced vertical break (IVB) has declined, affecting his swing-and-miss rate significantly:

• Regular Season: 100.6 mph velocity, 14.7 inches IVB, 40.2% swing-and-miss rate
• Postseason: 101.0 mph velocity, 13.4 inches IVB, 16.1% swing-and-miss rate
• MLB Average: 94.7 mph velocity, 15.5 inches IVB, 21.8% swing-and-miss rate

The drop in IVB contributes to more foul balls and shorter outings, making it easier for hitters to connect. The reason for this decline remains uncertain; it could stem from fatigue, mechanical issues, or even the pressure of postseason play.

With Game 1 approaching, Misiorowski aims to refine his mechanics and improve his performance after an 11-day layoff. The Brewers have yet to confirm their rotation beyond Game 1, but Logan Henderson, who also struggled in his starts, is likely to follow Misiorowski in Game 2.