What happened: Jacob Misiorowski draws the starting assignment tonight for Game 5 of the World Series, returning to the Fall Classic stage after his series-opening Game 1 start on Oct. 23. The outing marks his second appearance of the championship series following a home ovation prior to the opener.

Why it matters: Tonight's contest carries decisive postseason stakes, with the series sitting one win from a championship celebration or a return trip for Game 6. After working a short start in the Oct. 4 postseason opener, Misiorowski's command of his repertoire and capacity to pitch five innings will dictate bullpen usage in a potential clincher.

What to watch: Early pitch efficiency will determine how deep Misiorowski works through the batting order tonight. A victory seals the 2026 title immediately, while a defeat forces a sixth game.