Jacob Misiorowski wraps breakout Brewers year with World Series title and a reminder that best is yet to come

Misiorowski played the rightful role of ace in Game 5 as he led the Brewers to their first championship ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When the Brewers took the field for Game 5 of the World Series, they did so with their ace on regular rest. All that stood between them and their first World Series championship was a win with the best possible formula that they could draw up on the lineup card. If there was any question, it was if Misiorowski could channel some of his early season magic. In the playoffs, he hadn't been bad, but hadn't been nearly as dominant as in the regular season. He also hadn't gone more than five innings in a start.

He stepped up, as championship-caliber athletes do. He was forced to leave the game late in the sixth inning due to calf cramp, but the Brewers already had a 4-0 lead (the eventual final score) and handed things off to their elite bullpen on cruise control. Misiorowski came through with 5 ⅔ innings of scoreless ball, allowing only two hits. He stifled the Rays until the game felt like it was elementary. Only two pitchers have ever recorded a scoreless start of 5+ innings with two or fewer hits allowed in a potential World Series clincher: Misiorowski and some guy named