Miz and Miller in same series? Postseason velocity records beware!

MILWAUKEE -- Fifty-six pitches. That’s the most triple-digit heat any postseason series has produced since pitch tracking began in 2008.

Jacob Misiorowski topped that total by himself in four individual starts this season.

Now put Mason Miller on the same mound.

The Brewers-Padres National League Division Series, which begins Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. ET at American Family Field, brings together the two pitchers who threw the most 100-plus mph pitches in baseball this season. One will get the ball to open Game 1. The other could get the ball to finish it. In between, hitters will have to figure out how to make something happen against fastballs that even these two flamethrowers acknowledge arrive differently.

“He kind of overpowers hitters with just strength, where I’m trying to, you know, get out and be a little closer than him,” Misiorowski said Friday. “So, two different 100 mile-an-hour pitches.”

Same problem for the guys holding the bats.

According to research by MLB.com’s Andrew Simon, the record of 56 triple-digit pitches belongs to the 2016 Giants-Cubs NLDS, when Aroldis Chapman threw 55 and Hunter Strickland added one. Last year’s Brewers-Cubs NLDS nearly matched it: Misiorowski supplied 41 of the series’ 55, with Daniel Palencia accounting for the rest.

This time, the heat could come in quantities October has never seen.

• Padres-Brewers NL Division Series Game 1 FAQ

Misiorowski was responsible for each of the top 24 individual pitching performances by number of 100-plus mph pitches during the regular season. Among relievers, Miller accounted for 21 of the 85 outings featuring at least 10 triple-digit pitches.

Their season totals ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the pitch-tracking era. Misiorowski and Miller are two of only four pitchers, along with Jordan Hicks and Chapman, to reach 500 triple-digit pitches in a season.

For Misiorowski, the remarkable part might be how unremarkable it feels.

“For me, most games when I’m hitting 99, 101, that’s kind of just coast,” he said. “That’s just nice and easy for us. … It sounds dumb, but … that’s how I taught myself to throw.”

That ease carried the 24-year-old Brewers right-hander to a 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts this season, both Major League bests. Miller, meanwhile, struck out 129 batters in 70 innings while posting a 1.67 ERA and 38 saves for San Diego.

Asked what impressed him about Misiorowski maintaining his velocity deep into starts, Miller went somewhere else first.

“I think it’s more the strike-throwing ability,” Miller said. “He’s at his best when he’s feeling confident and throwing his fastball for a strike, and just letting it go as hard as he can.”

Miller pointed to Misiorowski’s extension and spin rate as distinguishing features, with the Brewers starter releasing the ball closer to the plate. Miller also believes both pitchers hide the ball well.

The radar gun only tells part of it. Brice Turang can explain the rest.

“It’s just heavy, and it’s coming at you at 104, 103,” the Brewers second baseman said of Miller’s fastball. “So, there’s some guys who throw 100 and it doesn't always feel like 100, and there’s some guys who throw 100 and it feels like 100.”

Jake Bauers offered another complication.

“He’s a big dude too, so it doesn’t help your cause,” Bauers said of Miller. “But obviously, he’s the best in the game. So I think the mentality is trying to have a good at-bat. Whatever happens after that, happens.”

For Brewers manager Pat Murphy, the challenge is keeping the velocity from speeding up a hitter’s decision-making. See the ball. Recognize a strike. Stay ready without getting emotional.

Padres manager Craig Stammen, a former big league pitcher himself, can appreciate the spectacle, too.

“It’s what every little kid’s watching and looking up to, and hoping that they can throw 100 miles an hour one day,” Stammen said. “Because it’s cool.”

The hitters might choose another word. This series should give them plenty of opportunities.