If you want to know what a legitimate ace looks like in 2026, look at what Jacob Misiorowski just did to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. In a Saturday night showdown between two division leaders, the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander didn’t just beat the Dodgers; he silenced them with a masterclass of velocity and composure.
While the Dodgers searched for answers against Milwaukee’s fireballer, their own starter, Justin Wrobleski, struggled to keep the ball in the park. The result was a decisive 4-1 victory for the Brewers, a game that felt more like a postseason preview than a mid-August regular season contest.
The Misiorowski clinic
The narrative entering Saturday was about the Dodgers' powerhouse lineup facing a young, emerging star. Misiorowski (12-5) turned that into a one-sided conversation immediately. He opened his night by throwing six consecutive pitches to Shohei Ohtani that clocked in at 102 mph or higher.
It wasn't just raw speed. It was intent. Ohtani eventually popped out, setting the tone for a night where the Dodgers rarely looked comfortable in the box.
By the time his night ended after six innings of work, Misiorowski had surrendered just five hits and one run, walking only one batter and striking out five. His ERA now sits at a microscopic 1.75. If you’re looking for the frontrunner for the National League Cy Young Award, stop scrolling. You’re looking at him.
Pitching under pressure
The defining moment of the game came in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and the top of the Dodgers' order looming, the pressure was at its absolute peak. Any mistake leaves the game tied or worse. Misiorowski didn't blink. He fanned both Ohtani and Freddie Freeman to escape the jam unscathed, effectively slamming the door on any potential Los Angeles comeback.
Wrobleski hits a wall
On the other side of the ledger, Justin Wrobleski’s night was a reminder of how quickly things can unravel for a young pitcher. Entering the game as an All-Star with high expectations, the left-hander looked hittable from the second inning onward.
Wrobleski (11-5) surrendered four runs on four hits over his six innings of work. The damage was done via the long ball—the kryptonite for many young starters.
- Joey Ortiz ignited the Brewers’ offense in the second inning with a 373-foot two-run homer.
- William Contreras followed suit in the fourth, jumping on a cutter for his 12th home run of the season.
For Wrobleski, this wasn't an isolated incident. He has now allowed at least four runs in each of his last four starts. The command is there—he walked only one—but the efficiency isn't. When you’re facing a team like Milwaukee, leaving pitches in the heart of the zone is a fast track to a loss.
The bigger picture in the National League
This series has become the most important set of games in the National League this month. With the win, Milwaukee moved to a two-game lead over Los Angeles in the standings.
The season series is now tied at three games apiece, setting up a high-stakes finale on Sunday. Sunday’s matchup features a heavy-hitter duel of its own: Milwaukee’s Logan Henderson (6-2, 2.88 ERA) against Dodgers lefty Tarik Skubal (7-6, 2.93 ERA).
What the Dodgers must fix
The Dodgers are currently 5-10 since July 31. That isn't a slump; it’s a trend. While Ohtani provided a glimmer of life with an RBI triple in the third inning, the rest of the lineup struggled to string together productive at-bats against Misiorowski and the Brewers’ bullpen.
If Los Angeles wants to secure the top seed in the NL, they need:
- Secondary scoring: Relying on Ohtani for every run is unsustainable against elite pitching.
- Rotation stability: Wrobleski and the middle of the rotation need to stop the bleeding of four-plus runs per start.
- Bullpen length: Aaron Ashby picking up the save on Saturday was a nice touch for Milwaukee, but the Dodgers need to get to the opposition's bullpen earlier to force mistakes.
The Brewers showed exactly why they are a dangerous October opponent: they have the ace, they have the power, and they don't fold when the lights are brightest at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers have 24 hours to find an answer before they potentially drop the series and lose further ground in the hunt for the best record in the league.
