On Saturday, the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres set a new standard in fastball velocity during Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The teams combined for an average fastball speed of 98.50 mph, breaking the record for a single game according to Baseball America’s JJ Cooper. This event underscores the trend of increased fastball speeds in Major League Baseball, emphasizing not only velocity but also accuracy.
The following day, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves took this trend further in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium. Five pitchers in that game reached or exceeded speeds of 100 mph. The Dodgers’ Edgardo Henriquez led with the highest velocity at 103.0 mph, followed by Roki Sasaki (102.1) and Edwin Diaz (100.8). The Braves’ Robert Suarez (101.4) and Didier Fuentes (101.2) also joined this elite group. Cooper noted that this was the first instance where five pitchers clocked speeds of 100 mph in a single game.
“The Brewers boast the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in baseball history in Jacob Misiorowski.”
Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers threw the opening pitch to Fernando Tatis Jr. at an astounding 104.8 mph. Misiorowski is not only a dominant force but also a likely candidate for the NL Cy Young Award, showcasing how pitchers are redefining what’s possible with fastball speeds.
Conversely, the Dodgers and Braves featured pitchers in varied roles. Fuentes and Sasaki have transitioned to bullpen roles, enhancing their velocity further. Diaz and Suarez have been reliable closers delivering triple-digit fastballs consistently. Henriquez, only 24, has been part of the Dodgers’ postseason bullpen for consecutive years.
Having a pitcher capable of triple-digit fastballs is now standard for MLB teams in 2026. The 2025 season marked the first time every team had at least one pitcher reach 100 mph, and this trend continues to grow in 2026. Teams are increasingly pushing fastball speeds higher, setting new benchmarks in the sport.