When Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski gets the start, fans can always expect a masterclass in strikeouts, and Sunday was no exception. True to form, he racked up six strikeouts over the opening three frames, with his fifth strikeout marking his 200th of the year.
He made it look effortless, dialing up a casual 102 mph fastball. Relying heavily on his primary weapon, Misiorowski threw fastballs for 29 of his initial 30 pitches—a logical choice given how completely unhittable the pitch was.
That milestone strikeout secured the 200-strikeout mark for the dominant righty. This feat makes him the initial pitcher to reach 200 strikeouts in the current campaign, and he has done so at a historic pace, ranking as the second-quickest player ever to reach the milestone based on innings pitched.
He recorded his 200th strikeout right as he completed his 129 ⅓ inning of work. According to MLB statistics, these are the five fastest pitchers to record 200 strikeouts in a single season:
1. Spencer Strider, 2022, 123 ⅓ IP
2. Jacob Misiorowski, 2026, 129 ⅓ IP
3. Spencer Strider, 2023, 130 IP
4. Randy Johnson, 2001, 130 ⅔ IP
5. Gerrit Cole, 2019, 133 ⅓ IP
During that legendary 2001 campaign, Randy Johnson accumulated 372 strikeouts on his way to securing the NL Cy Young with Arizona, alongside World Series MVP honors. Meanwhile, Spencer Strider’s 2023 season featured 281 strikeouts, eclipsing the franchise record previously held by John Smoltz.
Beyond his elite strikeout numbers, Misiorowski has been utterly dominant, starting Sunday’s game at the top of the major leagues with a 1.63 ERA and a 0.73 WHIP. He is heavily favored to take home the NL Cy Young award, with current odds provided by FanDuel showing him in the lead:
