The Milwaukee Brewers are in position to make this stretch run count, and Jacob Misiorowski sits right at the center of it.
With 37 games left and the best record in baseball at 77-48, Milwaukee has built its case around a rotation that can carry serious weight in October. Misiorowski is the headline act and should be viewed as the heavy favorite for the National League Cy Young Award.
Kyle Harrison has also emerged as one of the season’s breakout arms, posting a 2.99 ERA in 19 starts. Logan Henderson owns a 2.70 ERA and recently out-dueled Tarik Skubal and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On top of that, the Brewers brought in Dustin May from the St. Louis Cardinals, and he has been excellent.
That kind of pitching gives Milwaukee a real chance to go deep into the playoffs. The offense has helped too, with Jake Bauers, Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn all turning in strong seasons. If the Brewers stay healthy, they look like a legitimate contender.
But with all that pitching depth comes the obvious question: should Milwaukee ease off some of its arms before the postseason? The club has already dealt with plenty of pitcher injuries this season, so the idea is hardly far-fetched.
Misiorowski has been through this kind of conversation before. Last year, he appeared to hit a wall late in the season, and his role changed before the playoffs. This year, though, he says nothing has been brought up yet.
"Obviously, I don't know," Misiorowski said. "I haven't heard anything about it. That could be the case, but from what I know, they're pretty much letting me go do my thing."
For now, that lines up with where the Brewers are in the standings. They have the best record in the National League, but nothing is secured yet, and September will likely bring a clearer picture. Until then, this is a situation worth watching closely.
Misiorowski has already thrown 139 innings this season, which is by far the most he has ever logged as a pro. Last year, he totaled 129 1/3 innings between the majors and minors.
In 2024, he pitched 97 1/3 innings. In 2023, he worked 71 1/3 innings.
That puts workload squarely on the radar, but it does not mean Milwaukee needs to change course right now. The Brewers should keep pushing for the No. 1 seed and the home-field advantage that comes with it. Once that’s secured, resting pitchers becomes a much easier discussion.
There’s also the bigger October picture. Milwaukee has handled the Dodgers well this season, but if the playoffs bring a matchup with the two-time reigning champs, the Brewers will want every edge available. That makes every decision down the stretch matter.
Misiorowski has been the best pitcher in baseball this year, and he remains one of Milwaukee’s biggest weapons in the race ahead. As long as he is holding up, the Brewers should keep giving him the ball every fifth day until the No. 1 seed is locked in.
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