Misiorowski opens the World Series with a record 103.5 mph fastball

By the numbers: The 103.5 mph pitch beat the previous record of 103.2 mph, set by Aroldis Chapman for the Cubs in Game 2 of the 2016 Fall Classic. The pitch sailed well above the strike zone.

• Eleven of Misiorowski's 13 first-inning pitches were four-seam fastballs. Ten of those registered above 101 mph and five topped 102 mph, with his slowest four-seamer at 99.8 mph.

Zoom in: By the time his night was finished he had thrown 38 pitches at 100 mph or harder, the most in a World Series game since pitch tracking began in 2008.

The backstory: Before Friday, only 13 pitches had reached 102 mph in World Series play during the tracking era. Ten belonged to Chapman, with Brusdar Graterol accounting for two and Kelvin Herrera one.

• The 24-year-old averaged 100.6 mph with his four-seam fastball during the regular season, posting a 1.80 ERA and leading the Majors with 252 strikeouts.

What they're saying: "He's been really good," manager Pat Murphy told FOX during the game. Murphy credited catcher William Contreras, saying Misiorowski trusts him and the relationship had paid off through the first three innings.

Between the lines: Misiorowski gave Milwaukee five strong innings, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out three. He threw 56 of his 78 pitches for strikes and generated seven swings and misses before handing a 2-1 lead to Abner Uribe in the sixth.

• He touched 103.2 mph against Ben Williamson in the third inning and 103 mph against Diaz in the fifth, although his opening pitch remained his fastest of the night.

Why it matters: A starter who sits at triple digits for five innings changes how an opponent plans a seven-game series, and Misiorowski earned his first win of the postseason after starting Game 1 of all three of Milwaukee's playoff rounds.

What's next: Game 2 of the World Series is Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes and FOX One.