Friday afternoon at American Family Field brings a rare clash of pitching styles and personal history. Jacob Misiorowski, the Brewers’ rookie sensation, takes the mound against Chris Sale, the veteran lefty he has watched since he was a boy. It’s a battle between the top two ERA leaders in the National League, as noted by MLB.com Braves. The Braves open a unique three-game series that starts with two day games before moving to Pennsylvania for the Little League Classic.
A Child’s Dream Comes True
Misiorowski doesn’t usually worry about who stands on the other side of the plate, but this time is different. He grew up admiring Sale’s fire and his tall frame. “I don’t really focus on matchups, but it’s going to be fun,” said Misiorowski. He recalls meeting Sale at last year’s All-Star Game as a major highlight. “It’s like playing [Clayton] Kershaw last year. One of those moments where it’s, holy cow, you’re in the big leagues.”
The connection runs deep. Sale made his debut when Misiorowski was just eight years old (that was the year Sale started). The young pitcher loved how Sale showed his feelings on the mound. “I like how he is, how he shows emotion,” Misiorowski said. He noted that Sale was one of the first to really let the crowd know he made a big strikeout. “As a kid, that’s where I got it from.” I don’t aim to be the type of silent man who simply departs.
Numbers That Define the Season
The stats tell a story of two dominant arms. Misiorowski leads all of baseball with a 1.75 ERA. Sale sits just behind him at 2.16. According to MLB.com Braves, Misiorowski also leads the league in strikeouts with 210, while holding a WHIP of 0.75. Sale ranks in the top 13 in each of those key categories. At 37 years old, Sale remains among the top pitchers currently playing.
Both men have faced the opposing team this year, though not against each other. Misiorowski took a tough loss against the Braves in June, giving up two runs in six innings. Sale had a no-decision the next night against Milwaukee. The Braves offense helped seal that game with a walkoff home run by Ozzie Albies. Sale is coming off a loss in Arizona, but he threw his fastest fastball of the season at 99.1 mph in that outing.
What the Future Holds
The Cy Young race appears set, yet these two are leading the pack. Misiorowski was eight when Sale started, and now they are the main events. Sale’s height was a key factor for the young Misiorowski. “That was definitely a good point as a kid,” Misiorowski said.
Can the rookie hold his ground against the legend? The Brewers have their work cut out. “The dude’s good, so the team has its work cut out,” is the reality for the Braves’ lineup. The series continues with the Little League Classic, but Friday’s duel is the main event. Fans get to see a future star and a current icon go head-to-head. The result could shift the momentum for the final six weeks of the season.
