It could have been billed as a matchup of two of the National League’s future pitching studs between Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski and the Phillies’ Andrew Painter last Friday.

But the key words were — could have.

Barring injuries, there already is enough speculation and anticipation about the career of Misiorowski, who turned in one of the game’s elite performances in the last 10 years — or maybe even longer.

Misiorowski was masterful with his 100-mile-plus fastball as well as his offspeed stuff. He allowed a Kyle Schwarber fourth-inning single, recorded 15 strikeouts during a 95-pitch (74 strikes), complete game effort.

“The Miz” had no three-ball counts and five two-ball counts. He recorded one pitch at 104.5 and his off-speed fell off the table. At 8-2 with a 1.37 ERA, Misiorowski has 131 strikeouts in 87 innings. In his last eight starts, he has an ERA of 0.17 and 80 strikeouts.

When I see how he has become a phenomena, I think about Detroit’s Mark “The Bird” Fydrich of the 70s, or Dwight Gooden’s rookie season with the Mets in the 80s.

Not the “Miz” ... And then there’s Painter. The Phillies believed he could be their “Miz.” Instead, he has been the “Fizz.” If you remember, Tanner Banks pitched the first inning of his last start, figuring a second inning appearance might help his psyche.

Well, it didn’t. Painter was obviously done after five innings, giving up five runs, five hits (one home run) with three strikeouts and three walks.

In his last eight starts, Painter has a record of 0-5 with an ERA of 7.15. He has allowed 47 hits in 39 innings, 10 of them home runs with 29 strikeouts and 16 walks. His longest outing during the stretch was 6.1 innings in a 3-1 loss to Cleveland on May 24.

Heading into this week, Painter is 1-7 with a 6.43 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP.

Ouch!

This isn’t looking like the expected coming of another Marty Bystrom or Cole Hamels. Can you remember Billy Champion or Ken Reynolds? That’s what you have been seeing. Actually, there was another recent former No. 1 pick who had an equal or worse first season (see below).

Think back to Painter’s debut against Washington when everyone thought he solidified his promotion with a 5.1 inning effort in which he allowed four hits, one run, struck out eight, and walked none. He had command.

Since then, his command has been on the downside of the scale, and he has reached seven strikeouts just twice over his 13 starts.

Call to Arms ... Phils’ skipper Don Mattingly initially stated that Painter would stay the course and work through his issues. However, there has been plenty of chatter about Painter taking a two-week hiatus at Lehigh Valley to restore his ability and his confidence.

That would mean a dose of right-hander Alan Rangel, the 28-year-old minor league journeyman who’s 3-4 with a 3.74 ERA over 10 starts with 69 strikeouts in 65 innings at Lehigh Valley.

Could we see rising prospect Gage Wood, who is 0-1 in four starts with a 3.21 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 14 innings at Reading, in late August or September?

Boston 36-year-old righty Sonny Gray is the latest rumored pickup, as the Red Sox appeared headed to a fire sale. Gray would be a rental, but he can crystallize the staff.

Besides Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, and possibly Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola is still too streaky.

Try A Different Coat ... Painter’s removal from the starting rotations appears to be a resounding affirmation among most of the Phils’ fan base.

According to a recent Times New Lehighton Sports Facebook poll, 84 percent of the fans believed Painter should be pulled, while 16 percent believe he should work out his problems the rest of the way.

Readers Write

Keep Painter’s Chin Up

Dear Jeff,

If he (Painter) keeps getting killed in the bigs, it could really hurt his confidence. He didn’t really earn his spot yet anyway. Another starter from the minors or even a few bullpen games couldn’t have worse outcomes. A loss is a loss.

But having a prospect lose his confidence could be a long-term problem.

Vic Monaco

Philadelphia

Stay the Course

Dear Jeff,

Painter has to stay until they (Phillies) have a fifth better than him. Right now, they don’t.

Bud Focht

Dear Jeff,

Absolutely, he (Painter) should stay. The guys’ stats in the minors aren’t any better, but it’s worth the risk. Painter gives up like one run every inning he starts.

Tyler Scheuer

Newtown Grant

“Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act”

Dear Jeff,

At this stage, I would hold on a little longer. The hitting he is getting a little bit better, though inconsistent. Give Painter a little bit more of an opportunity to learn.

But I would say that if he can’t turn it around in his next three starts, they have to go get a pitcher via trade, and it can’t be some terrible pitcher akin to a terrible Garcia to play right field.

John Knebles

Philadelphia

If Only...

Dear Jeff,

I wish they (Phillies) would have never got rid of Ranger (Suarez).

Todd Leslie

Nesquehoning

Knock On Wood?

Dear Jeff,

Unfortunately, who would they have to replace him (Painter)? Maybe Gage Wood will be the mid-season surprise? Can Dombrowksi make a trade that makes sense and get a solid starter? Unlikely!

Melissa Hager

Lehighton

Fish Are Jumping ... Don’t look now, but the Marlins may make it interesting in the NL East.

Yes, they were reeled in by Wheeler in a 7-0 shutout Monday night, but the Fish entered Citizens Bank Park winning 10 of their last 12 to climb back to .500 at 36-36.

Max Meyer, who is 7-0 with a 2.75 ERA, outdueled Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh Sunday, allowing four hits and striking out nine in six innings. Meyer has battled injuries throughout his career, and a healthy season can make a difference.

He and often-rumored trade bait Sandy Alcantara (6-4, 4.25) give the Marlins an effective duo at the top. Veteran closer Pete Fairbanks had nine saves despite a 6.75 ERA.

Shortstop Otto Lopez, a Giants’ castoff, has been among the league and major-league leaders in batting average (.339) all season, and second baseman Xaiver Edwards has been hovering around .300. Catcher Liam Hicks has 13 homers, 55 RBIs and a .281 average.

All-Star Prices ... If you’re planning on going to the All-Star Game at Citizens Ban park, you better start saving or get an advance on your credit cards.

Like any All-Star game or a typical NFL game, you will pay premium prices for premium seats.

Lower seating can range anywhere from $700 to $1,500 or better, and upper level seats can range from $350 to $700. You will really have to dig deep to find a seat in the $100-$200 range, or have a good contact.

Yes, it’s great to be there, especially since it is in Philly. But the All-Star Game has certainly lost its luster.

Scrapbook ... In each column, I will review a former standout from our area.

Brent Kunkle had a stellar career at Lehighton. A 2000 graduate, the center fielder consistently hit over. 300, and was a first-team Mountain Valley Conference choice in his senior year.

Lehighton head baseball coach Rick Bennett described Kunkle as “the finest outfielder I’ve ever coached.”

Kunkel continued his career at Siena College, where he hit .209 in 69 games with one homer, 12 RBIs and 27 hits.

Time Passages ... In each column, I’ll recall the career of a former player or manager from our past on the diamond.

In keeping with the theme, do you remember former top prospect Gavin Floyd?

He was the Phillies first-round pick (fourth overall) in the 2001 draft. Floyd made his debut in 2024 and went 2-0 with a 3.49 in four starts. His first full season was two years later in 2006 when he made 11 starts and struggled with a 4-3 record, a 7.76 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. Injuries and control problems never put him on the right track.

Floyd was dealt to the White Sox for Freddie Garcia that winter, and he stayed in Chicago for seven seasons. He never found consistency and went 63-65 there.

Over his final three seasons, Floyd had stops in Atlanta, Cleveland and Toronto, finishing with an overall 74-76, 4.37 mark over 13 seasons.

Finally, for all the dads ... Happy Father’s Day!

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