Padres reliever Mason Miller set at least two major-league playoff records in Wednesday’s series-extending shutout of the Cubs, throwing a 104.5 mph pitch and becoming the first player to open his first postseason with eight consecutive strikeouts. Here’s another benchmark the tall right-hander established: Miller’s 11 pitches of at least 102 mph were a new high since the pitch-tracking era began in 2008.
The previous mark belonged to left-hander Aroldis Chapman, who threw 10 pitches at least that fast for the Yankees in Game 3 of the 2017 ALDS. Chapman, now the 37-year-old closer for the Red Sox, is the only player in the pitch-tracking era with at least one other postseason game in which he threw five or more 102-plus mph pitches. (In all, the ageless flamethrower has recorded five such appearances.)
Could Miller join him tonight? Miller, who threw 40 pitches over the past two days, hasn’t appeared on three consecutive days since May 23-25, when he was still a member of the Athletics.
“Every pitch feels like it’s coming out good right now,” Miller said after yesterday’s game. “You know, I feel really good. Just going to do everything today to get myself in a position to pitch again (today).”