Milwaukee Brewers Two-Month Report Card: Starting Pitching Leading The Way In 2026

When a pitching staff boasts not one but two legitimate Cy Young contenders in their rotation, that likely results in the team enjoying much success. The Brewers are no different.

Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison both put together months to remember in May, and their accomplishments correlated to Milwaukee’s rise in the National League.

Misiorowski’s stats over the previous month are simply silly and ridiculous:

• 5-0 record in six starts
• 0.23 ERA (one earned run) and a 0.53 WHIP
• 57 strikeouts in just 38.1 innings pitched, the most strikeouts by any pitcher in a calendar month in Brewers history
• Threw an MLB-record 57 pitches over 100 MPH–in one game against the Cardinals
• During May, he became only the third pitcher in MLB history to post more than 100 strikeouts while allowing fewer than 15 earned runs and 20 walks. Pedro Martínez (2000) and Jacob deGrom (2021) are the others.

Despite his flashy stat line, Misiorowski was a man of few words when asked about his recent performances after blanking the Houston Astros for seven innings on Sunday.

“It was pretty good,” he said. “I mean, that’s decent.”

Miz’s teammates were far more effusive in their praise of the right-hander’s exploits on the mound. Trevor Megill, Milwaukee’s closer, said: “Dude has been out there being an absolute horse for us, and eating six-plus [innings] every time he goes out there.”

In Houston, Misiorowski arguably did not have his best stuff, even though he limited the Astros to just three hits while not allowing a walk.

“I’m not sure he had his best fastball,” Brewers’ slugger Jake Bauers said. “But I mean, with stuff like his, him not having his best stuff is better than most guys in the league.”

Don’t tell that to Houston’s shortstop Jeremy Pena, who is glad to see Misiorowski leaving town.

“You have to give credit where it’s due,” he said. “He had a great outing. His stuff is electric.”

Kyle Harrison Is Proving To Be A Steal For The Milwaukee Brewers

Before the beginning of spring training, Milwaukee acquired Harrison from the Boston Red Sox. If the first two months of the season are any indication, the Brewers received the better end of the deal.

Along with Harrison, Milwaukee acquired infielder David Hamilton and pitcher Shane Drohan, both of whom are major contributors for the Brewers in 2026. The main catch in return for Boston was 2025 Rookie of the Year candidate Caleb Durbin, who is currently batting .183 for his new team.

The trade has been lauded as the best of the off-season, according to MLB insider Joel Sherman. “There’s a clear champion for the offseason trades… they got two difference-making pitchers,” he said of Milwaukee’s haul.

Harrison’s numbers, while not as gaudy and eye-popping as Misiorowski’s, are still worthy of mention:

• 4-1 record in six May starts
• His overall 1.57 ERA would rank him second in the National League (he is five innings pitched away from qualifying for the list)
• Recorded 51 strikeouts in 41.2 innings
• Currently on an 18-inning scoreless streak heading into June

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold, who orchestrated the trade in February, said Harrison was definitely a pitcher of interest for quite some time.

“Kyle’s been a guy who has been on our radar for a while. He’s a really talented player and a humble kid that works hard,” Arnold said. “One of the things when I first talked to him when we got him, he was just looking for a chance and to his credit, he ran through the door, guns blazing. He’s quietly been one of the best pitchers in baseball honestly, and that’s just a huge credit to him.”

If Harrison continues his outstanding work on the mound, “quietly” will no longer be usable when describing his achievements.

End Of My Brewers Rant: Milwaukee Will Go As Far As Their Pitching Duo Will Take Them

It has been said that good pitching usually beats good hitting. Through 56 games of the 2026 season, Milwaukee resembles that remark.

As a pitching staff, the Brewers are second in the National League in team ERA (3.17) and third in WHIP (1.18). That, along with the overall success of the team, is remarkable because injured starters Brandon Woodruff and Logan Henderson have combined for just 11 starts in 2026. Quinn Priester, who went 13-3 last season, has yet to pitch an inning this year due to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Milwaukee has done exceptionally well, far more than simply treading water, despite the absence of those starters. In order to earn a third straight divisional title this season, however, Misiorowski and Harrison must continue their superlative work on the mound.