Hard-Throwing Pitchers Shine in MLB Playoffs

In the latest display of fastball prowess, the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres set a new benchmark. During Game 1 of the National League Division Series, their combined average fastball velocity reached 98.50 mph. This broke the previous record for a single game, according to Baseball America’s JJ Cooper. The game highlighted the shifting emphasis in pitching towards speed and precision.

The evolution continued in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves showcased five different pitchers throwing over 100 mph. Edgardo Henriquez of the Dodgers clocked the highest at 103.0 mph. Roki Sasaki and Edwin Diaz followed with fastballs of 102.1 mph and 100.8 mph, respectively. The Braves’ Robert Suarez and Didier Fuentes also joined this elite group with pitches over 101 mph.

This marked the first instance of five pitchers reaching such speeds in a single game, a milestone noted by Cooper. This feat highlights the significant increase in fastball velocity across the league.

Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers stands out as the hardest-throwing starter, launching his opening pitch to Fernando Tatis Jr. at 104.8 mph. As a leading contender for the NL Cy Young Award, Misiorowski consistently pushes the limits of radar guns.

The Dodgers and Braves, however, offer a different narrative. Fuentes and Sasaki, primarily starting pitchers, showed enhanced velocity in relief roles. Meanwhile, seasoned closers Diaz and Suarez continue their trend of delivering triple-digit fastballs. Edgardo Henriquez, at just 24 years old, has been a critical part of the Dodgers’ postseason bullpen in recent years.

In 2026, it’s expected for MLB teams to have at least one pitcher capable of hitting 100 mph. By 2025, every team had achieved this benchmark, and pushing beyond these speeds is becoming increasingly common among top teams.