Jacob Misiorowski sets World Series velocity record with first pitch of Game 1 New York Times (Online) Johnny Flores Jr. Twenty-four hours ago, Jacob Misiorowski vowed to bring Charizard-like energy to the mound in Game 1 of the 2026 World Series. Twenty-four hours later, Misiorowski lived up to one of his favorite Pokémon creatures, hitting 103.5 on the radar gun on his very first pitch, the fastest registered pitch in World Series history since 2008. The offering, a four-seam fastball for a ball against Tampa Bay Rays leadoff hitter Yandy Díaz, broke a record (103.2 mph) previously set by Aroldis Chapman, then of the Chicago Cubs, during the 2016 World Series. In that same sequence Misiorowski made his first bit of history by also breaking Noah Syndergaard's record for fastest pitch thrown by a starter (101.3 mph, 2015 World Series). “Definitely flame,” said Misiorowski when asked what type of Pokémon energy he would bring in Game 1. “Definitely the flame energy. What's Charizard's signature move? Fireball. Bring some fireball. I'm going to be ready.” Indeed, Misiorowski, the favorite to win the 2026 National League Cy Young Award, was ready. Since his debut in June 2025, Misiorowski has routinely wowed fans and confounded hitters with his velocity. This year, his fastball averaged 100.6 mph, a record for a qualified starting pitcher. Of Misiorowski's 4,177 pitches at the big-league level, 1,482 have been 100 mph or faster. Including the postseason, Misiorowski has touched 104 mph 30 times in his career, the second-most in history behind Chapman. “In that time, there weren't that many (who could throw 100 mph), like there are now,” Chapman told The Athletic earlier this season. “You need to be blessed with a good arm to do that.” The right-hander peaked at 105.5 mph in a June 26 start against the Chicago Cubs. Three months later, he reached 104.8 mph on the very first pitch of Game 1 of the Division Series. His second pitch, a 104.6 heater, stands as his third-fastest. “You can feel a nice little whiff,” Misiorowski told The Athletic of what it's like to throw 100 mph. “You can hear it. It kind of zings a little bit.”