MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers are prioritizing additional rest for prized right-hander Jacob Misiorowski over the chance to pack American Family Field for another of his electric starts later this week.
The 24-year-old is coming off a 15-strikeout, one-hit, complete-game shutout against the Phillies on Friday, and due to an off-day this week, would have lined him up to pitch with an extra day of rest in the finale of the current homestand against the Guardians on Thursday. But Misiorowski didn’t appear on the list of probable pitchers published by the club for that series, which instead features Robert Gasser, Brandon Sproat and Shane Drohan against Cleveland, with Drohan jumping ahead of Misiorowski in the order.
This was planned prior to Misiorowski’s 95-pitch, nine-inning gem against the Phillies, according to Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold, who said Misiorowski reported feeling “great” coming out of his last start.
“I think it actually could be a good thing” to get an extra breather, Arnold said.
The Brewers’ ticketing folks might be disappointed, since Misiorowski has become a must-see pitcher. But the team’s baseball operations department and coaching staff are mapping a schedule that prioritizes health above all, in addition to the competitive considerations. By missing the Guardians, it gives Misiorowski a start against a National League opponent, the Braves, should he be slotted in to start the opener of a road trip in Atlanta on Friday -- exactly one week after his last start.
Remember, postseason seeding is based on teams’ records within their own league.
If he does start the opener in Atlanta, the Brewers would have the option of pitching Misiorowski on four days’ rest against the Reds on June 24 on the road, or against the Cubs at home on June 26. If it’s the latter, he would go a full week between starts two times in a row.