What’s the main story line of the 2026 Brewers season?
Curt Hogg and JR Radcliffe chat about the overriding storyline for the 2026 Brewers on the cusp of opening day, part of the ‘Microbrew’ podcast.
Opposing hitters are familiar by now with the plus-plus power of Jacob Misiorowski’s right arm. But if you take a look inside the numbers when the radar gun is on the Milwaukee Brewers pitcher, the results are quite impressive.
Last season, Misiorowski had the second-fasted four-seam fastball of any starting pitcher, with an average velocity of 99.3 mph. He threw 31 of his 57 pitches at least 100 mph in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs in October. And he had the second-most triple-digit fastballs in the big leagues after just six starts.
Equipped with that gas, the Brewers’ Opening Day starter is one of three Milwaukee pitchers on the futures odds list for the National League Cy Young Award.
Misiorowski is tied for the 10th-best odds to win the award, with Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star Shohei Ohtani, at +3000.
Brandon Woodruff, back in the Brewers rotation after accepting a $22 million qualifying offer, isn’t far behind at +3500. Logan Henderson is among the last few long shots on the list at +20000. Henderson had a 1.78 ERA in five starts with the Brewers last season, but he didn’t make the club out of spring training.
Former Brewer Freddy Peralta is seventh on the on the list at +2500. Peralta was 17-6 last season with 204 strikeouts and a 2.70 ERA, but he was traded to the New York Mets with one year remaining on his contract.
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is the favorite to win the award for the second consecutive year, but Eno Saris of The Athletic predicted last week that Misiorowski would upset Skenes for the award, noting that “the Miz” has added a power changeup to his dominant fastball and wipeout slider.
Jackson Chourio on odds chart for NL MVP
Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio made the bottom of the list for the NL MVP award at +5000. Ohtani is a heavy favorite to win to win his fifth MVP award in six seasons.
Jett Williams, Logan Henderson long shots for NL Rookie of the Year
Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat were the two main players acquired by the Brewers when they traded Peralta, but only Sproat made the Opening Day roster. Though Williams is starting the season in the minors, he likely made this list at +3500 due to his elite speed.
Henderson’s impressive short run of starts last season also makes him a deep sleeper candidate, but is beginning 2026 with Class AAA Nashville.
