Cristopher Sánchez Chases Hershiser While Jacob Misiorowski Chases History: Historic May and Fantasy Outlook for June

Cy Young hype in early June? That's the story for Cristopher Sánchez and Jacob Misiorowski, with the Phillies southpaw pitching a scoreless May and the Brewers righty leading the league in strikeouts.

The duo produced one of the most historic months in MLB history. And after combining for roughly 70 innings, a sub-0.30 ERA, and nearly 100 strikeouts, the fantasy implications simply cannot be ignored.

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of what these starters have accomplished so far, and what fantasy managers should keep in mind looking to the second half of the 2026 MLB season.

Cristopher Sánchez's Scoreless May: Chasing Orel Hershiser into the Record Books

Breaking Down the Numbers and the Streak

Sanchez's May line is nothing short of astounding. Over five starts and 39 IP, he allowed zero earned runs and just 25 hits for 0.72 WHIP, plus a 45:3 K:BB ratio.

All together, Sanchez strung together 44.2 scoreless innings, which broke a 115-year-old Phillies franchise record set by Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander. (He threw 41 consecutive scoreless innings as a rookie in 1911.) The feat made Sanchez just the second MLB pitcher since Orel Hershiser in September of 1988 to go a full calendar month without allowing a run. The hunt continues as Sanchez enters June by chasing Hershiser's MLB record of 59 straight scoreless innings.

Hershiser was 29 years old when he set the record and won NL Cy Young honors, leading the majors with 23 wins. Sanchez is also 29, heading into June with a 6-2 record and 1.47 ERA.

Jacob Misiorowski's Historic Velocity and Strikeout Explosion

Why His May Was Unlike Anything Seen in Brewers History

Misiorowski doesn't look like the same pitcher who went 5-3 with a 4.36 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 2025. In May 2026, he allowed just one earned run while posting a .105 batting average-against and 0.54 WHIP over 31.1 innings pitched.

He set a Brewers franchise record with 11 strikeouts on Opening Day, and an MLB record for most 100-plus mph pitches at 57. He's also the first pitcher in the modern era (1900, give or take) to start his season with 11 consecutive innings without allowing a hit.

To top it off, Misiorowski has lit up Statcast. His expected ERA (2.19), fastball velocity (99.9 mph), whiff rate (38.7%), strikeout rate (39.6%), and extension (7.5 ft.) all rank in the 98th percentile or better.

How Rare Was the Sánchez-Misiorowski May Tandem?

Historical Context and Combined Dominance

Extremely. According to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, only two pitchers since 1988 have thrown 30-plus innings with a sub-0.25 ERA in any single month, let alone the same month.

Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that Sanchez and Misiorowski are the two heavy favorites duking it out in the early NL Cy Young Award odds. (Sanchez has slightly shorter odds thanks to chasing Hershiser's record.) Both flamethrowers are outdueling NL aces like Paul Skenes and Shohei Ohtani, and even dominant American League arms like Cam Schlittler don't possess the same underlying metrics (or are breaking the same records) that the Sanchez-Misiorowski combo is.

Fantasy Outlook for June and the Rest of 2026 Season

Start/Sit, Trade, and Roster Decisions for Intermediate Managers

Intermediate fantasy managers have already guessed that both Sanchez and Misiorowski are must-start aces in June. Both have massive strikeout upside and low walk totals, along with elite swing-and-miss rates. Sanchez offers the safer floor thanks to his elite pitching command, while Misiorowski has the higher ceiling for strikeouts per nine innings.

All of that being said, managers also need to keep an eye out for risks that could turn either pitcher into a sell-high candidate.

Workload is a major factor, with Misiorowski pitching deep into early-season games and Sanchez riding the pressure of chasing a league record. Underlying metrics are another. Sanchez's lower fastball velocity (95 mph) and above-average hard-hit allowed rate (44.1%) can turn into hard contact later in the season. Meanwhile, Misiorowski's low chase rate (31.4%) could become a problem if opposing batters adjust to his fastball.

So monitor this lights-out tandem into June. They are absolute starters right now across league formats, but owners shouldn't be blind to potential warning signs.

Questions About A Historic May For These Pitchers

What did Cristopher Sánchez do in May 2026?

Cristopher Sánchez threw 39 scoreless innings across five starts with 45 strikeouts and only three walks. He extended his scoreless streak to 44 2/3 innings, set a Phillies franchise record, and became just the second MLB pitcher since 1913 to post a full calendar month without allowing a run.

How dominant was Jacob Misiorowski in May 2026?

Jacob Misiorowski posted a 0.29 ERA in 31.1 innings, striking out 49 batters while allowing just 11 hits and one earned run. He also set a Brewers franchise record for strikeouts and posted a historic stretch of dominance to open the season.

Is Cristopher Sánchez chasing Orel Hershiser's record?

Yes. Sánchez entered June with a 44.2-inning scoreless streak and is pursuing Hershiser's MLB record of 59 consecutive scoreless innings.

What does the Sánchez-Misiorowski May mean for fantasy baseball?

Both pitchers enter June as elite fantasy assets. Sánchez offers a safer floor through command and consistency, while Misiorowski brings exceptional strikeout upside and swing-and-miss ability.

Will Jacob Misiorowski sustain his velocity in 2026?

Misiorowski has paired elite velocity with outstanding strikeout and whiff rates. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring workload and how opposing hitters adjust as the season progresses.

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 5:31 PM.