The Milwaukee Brewers are hoping hard-throwing Jacob Misiorowski will benefit from extended rest over the break when he opens the three-game series against the visiting New York Mets and former teammate Freddy Peralta on Monday.
Misiorowski (10-4, 1.62 ERA) will be making his first start in almost two weeks against Peralta (5-8, 4.66), who was traded to New York in January after eight seasons with Milwaukee and will be facing his former team for the first time.
Milwaukee completed a sweep of the Miami Marlins with a 3-1 victory on Sunday on William Contreras' walk-off three-run homer in the ninth inning.
The Mets defeated Philadelphia 6-1 on Sunday behind rookie right-hander Nolan McLean, who struck out 10 over six scoreless innings. Francisco Lindor had three hits, including a two-run homer, and three RBIs.
Misiorowski, who was originally slated to start Tuesday but was bumped up a day, said he's looking forward to the matchup against Peralta.
"That will be fun," Misiorowski told MLB.com. "I want the best for Freddy. He's an awesome guy. I love Freddy. ... But he's on the other team, so you've got to kick his (butt). That's my job."
Misiorowski, who leads the majors in ERA and strikeouts with 167, will be making his first start since July 7, when he allowed three runs on three hits, including two homers, over seven innings in a 4-3 win at St. Louis.
The 24-year-old right-hander, whose fastball routinely tops 100 mph, skipped his final start before the All-Star break due to arm fatigue. Misiorowski has thrown a career-high 111 innings in 18 starts after pitching 66 innings last season as a rookie in 15 regular-season appearances.
"I feel normal. I feel good," Misiorowski said. "The rest was 100% good. I feel ready."
Misiorowski was named to the All-Star team for the second time in his two seasons but did not pitch in last week's game.
He has faced the Mets once, allowing five runs in 3 2/3 innings and took the loss in a 7-3 defeat at New York last July.
Peralta, 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA last season in 33 starts with Milwaukee, has been inconsistent with New York.
He was 2-2 with a 6.39 ERA in five starts in June and is 0-2 with a 5.54 ERA in three starts this month.
The right-hander lasted just 4 1/3 innings in his last start on July 11, allowing two runs on three hits but walking five in a 92-pitch outing, taking the loss in a 4-0 home defeat against Boston.
"It's a terrible, terrible feeling coming out before the fifth inning," Peralta said afterward. "I've been struggling, and I'm just working on it, trying to navigate through this. It's been difficult, but not impossible for me. I never lose the hope. Just keep working -- that's what I keep telling myself. And at some point, I'm going to navigate through it."
Peralta has issued 44 walks -- sixth most in the National League -- in 104 1/3 innings and also allowed 15 home runs.
He pitched well at American Family Field during his time with the Brewers, going 40-20 with a 3.19 ERA in 112 games, including 84 starts.
--Field Level Media