Milwaukee Brewers rookie Jacob misiorowski delivered perhaps the most impressive outing of his young career Tuesday night, dominating the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles <a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/07/08/judge-ohtani-and-ernie-clement-first-half-mvps-and-playoff-odds-for-all-30-mlb-teams/” title=”Expert Pick: MLB 2025 First Half MVPs & Playoff Odds”>dodgers. Despite surrendering an early leadoff home run to superstar Shohei Ohtani, the hard-throwing right-hander quickly found his elite form, striking out a career-high 12 batters over six masterful innings. This sensational start helped power the Brewers to a crucial 3-1 victory, with Misiorowski earning the win over Dodgers ace and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw.
Misiorowski’s performance was a crucial factor as the Brewers improved their record to 52-40, moving within three games of the first-place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. The loss marked the Dodgers’ fifth straight defeat and their second consecutive loss to Milwaukee, though they still maintain control of the NL West with a 56-37 record. The 23-year-old pitcher’s ability to shut down one of baseball’s most potent offenses offered a glimpse into his immense potential.
Responding to the Ohtani Challenge
The night began with a stern test for the young rookie. Facing Shohei Ohtani, one of baseball’s most feared hitters, Misiorowski fell behind 0-2 in the count to lead off the game. On the third pitch, an 88 mph curveball left slightly over the inside of the plate, Ohtani launched a 431-foot leadoff blast over the centerfield wall. This marked Ohtani’s NL-best 31st home run of the season, setting a new Dodgers record for most homers before the All-Star break and his 21st career leadoff shot.
For a rookie pitcher in just his fifth MLB start, giving up such a jolt to a three-time MVP could easily unravel an outing. Misiorowski was coming off a difficult previous start against the Mets where he allowed five runs, contrasting sharply with his first three career starts where he allowed just a combined three hits. However, Tuesday night, he showed remarkable composure. He immediately regrouped, striking out the very next three batters he faced: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Andy Pages, effectively slamming the door on the first inning threat and demonstrating impressive mental fortitude.
Baffling Batters: An Arsenal on Display
Misiorowski’s ability to rebound set the tone for a night of pure dominance on the mound. He proceeded to baffle the potent Dodgers lineup, recording a career-high 12 strikeouts across his six innings of work. His electric arsenal was on full display, featuring a blazing fastball that touched 100+ mph on 21 occasions, according to the radar gun. This velocity was perfectly complemented by a sharp sweeping slider and a deceptive diving curveball that repeatedly left Dodgers hitters flailing.
He was particularly effective through the middle innings, turning the early deficit into a showcase of overpowering stuff. After the Ohtani homer, he struck out 10 of the next 13 batters he faced without issuing a walk, showcasing pinpoint control after the initial mistake. He even came agonizingly close to an immaculate inning in the second frame, striking out Michael Conforto and Hyeseong Kim on a combined six pitches before allowing a single, but quickly ended the threat with another strikeout. Facing the top of the order a second time, he struck out Ohtani again in the third inning with a curveball, then ended the frame by fanning Freddie Freeman on three pitches, keeping the game close. He added two more strikeouts in the fourth before the Brewers offense provided run support, and another pair in the fifth inning, including getting James Outman swinging at a 99 mph fastball on the outside corner for his final strikeout.
Navigating Trouble with Defensive Support
Misiorowski’s only significant challenge after the first inning arrived in the sixth. He issued a leadoff walk to Ohtani after a full count, followed by an infield single from Mookie Betts, putting runners on first and second with no outs. A Freddie Freeman groundout advanced both runners to second and third with just one out, creating a high-pressure situation with the tying run just 90 feet away.
With Andy Pages at the plate, a ground ball was hit to third base. Brewers third baseman Andruw Monasterio made a brilliant, decisive play, opting to throw home to catcher William Contreras rather than attempt the out at first. Ohtani attempted to score from third but was successfully tagged out at the plate on a perfect throw and tag. This heads-up defensive gem secured the crucial second out and preserved the Brewers’ one-run lead. Misiorowski then induced Michael Conforto to ground out to first base, escaping the jam completely unscathed and ending his sensational night on the mound having faced 25 batters.
Game Result and Season Implications
In total, Jacob Misiorowski delivered six strong innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits, including the leadoff homer, while issuing a single walk and striking out a career-high 12. He threw an efficient 68 strikes among his 91 pitches. This dominant performance lowered his earned run average (ERA) from 3.20 to 2.81, a significant drop early in his major league career.
The Brewers bats provided the necessary offense in the bottom of the fourth inning against Clayton Kershaw, scoring two runs to take a 2-1 lead. William Contreras and Willy Adames delivered key hits in that frame. Misiorowski protected that lead, ultimately earning the win against a future Hall of Famer who recently achieved his own milestone of 3,000 career strikeouts. This outing marked a significant bounce-back for the rookie, demonstrating resilience after a less-than-ideal prior start and confirming the promise he showed in his initial big-league appearances. The victory was vital for the Brewers, helping them gain ground in the competitive NL Central race.
A Rookie’s Heart: Poise and Passion
Misiorowski’s emotional reaction on the mound after escaping the sixth-inning jam spoke volumes about the magnitude of the moment. As he unleashed a celebratory fist pump, he later told reporters from TBS, “I was just in disbelief that I got out of the inning.” Facing a powerhouse lineup like the Dodgers, especially early in a big-league career, is a daunting task that tests both physical stuff and mental toughness.
He added, “You’re facing the Dodgers. It’s just a wave of emotions to finally do what you were dreaming of doing.” This blend of raw talent, incredible velocity, sharp breaking pitches, resilience after adversity, and visible passion suggests a pitcher capable of thriving on baseball’s biggest stages for years to come. Outdueling a legend like Clayton Kershaw while navigating a lineup packed with MVPs and All-Stars solidifies this outing as potentially the best of his impressive young rookie campaign and a pivotal moment in his development.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dominant was Jacob Misiorowski’s pitching against the Dodgers?
Jacob Misiorowski delivered a highly dominant performance, highlighted by a career-high 12 strikeouts over six innings. He overpowered Dodgers hitters with a fastball reaching over 100 mph and effectively mixed in a sharp slider and curveball, limiting their offense to just one run on four hits.
What happened immediately after Shohei Ohtani’s leadoff home run off Misiorowski?
Despite giving up a 431-foot leadoff home run to Shohei Ohtani on the third pitch of the game, Misiorowski showed remarkable resilience. He immediately bounced back to strike out the next three batters in the inning: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Andy Pages, preventing further damage and setting a dominant tone for the remainder of his outing.
Why was Misiorowski’s start against the Dodgers considered a major test?
Facing the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who boast a lineup featuring superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, and going head-to-head against a future Hall of Famer in Clayton Kershaw, represented the stiffest challenge yet in Misiorowski’s young rookie season. His ability to excel under this pressure, earn the win, and strike out 12 batters demonstrated significant progress and potential.
Jacob Misiorowski’s outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers was far more than just a win; it was a statement performance. Demonstrating elite velocity, sharp breaking pitches, mental fortitude, and the ability to pitch out of jams with the help of stellar defense, the rookie showed he belongs among the game’s top pitchers. As the Brewers push for the postseason, performances like this from their young arms will be absolutely critical to their success.
