Kyle Harrison just did something that hasn't been done since Sabathia's legendary run

Making a strong impression after a trade can set the tone for a player’s time with a new team, and Kyle Harrison is currently doing that as one of the newest members of the Milwaukee Brewers. Acquired this offseason from the Boston Red Sox in the Caleb Durbin deal, Harrison has shined in his first two starts with the franchise, covering 10.1 total innings, while allowing just three earned runs and racking up a combined 14 strikeouts.

To make things even more impressive, he’s allowed just seven hits and three walks, resulting in a 0.97 WHIP. On top of that, his fastball is overpowering hitters, generating swings and misses 38.7% of the time. No batter has managed a hit off his second-most-used pitch, the slurve, while his changeup and sinker have looked nasty when called upon.

For a player like Harrison, who has been involved in multiple major trades, including the Rafael Devers deal before landing in Milwaukee, this strong start is a clear vote of confidence for his future. Adding to that, he’s also achieved something no other left-handed starter has done in franchise history since CC Sabathia in 2008.

Kyle Harrison and CC Sabathia share a franchise-record for the most strikeouts in a left-handed pitcher's first two starts with the Brewers

According to Brewers on-field reporter Sophia Minnaert, Harrison and Sabathia are tied for the most strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher in their first two starts, each recording 14. Interestingly, both players, who wore or wear No. 52, reached the milestone in different ways.

For Harrison, he tossed 5.0 innings during his team debut against the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out six along the way. His second performance went just a bit longer, 5.1 innings, but featured eight strikeouts, giving him 14 total through his first two starts with the Brewers.

Meanwhile, Sabathia pitched six innings in his 2008 post-trade deadline Brewers debut against the Colorado Rockies, recording five strikeouts. True to form, his second start was a complete nine-inning outing against the Cincinnati Reds, where he matched his inning total with nine strikeouts.

It’s exciting to see Harrison already carving out a place alongside Sabathia in Brewers history. Their shared milestones show how rare and special it is for two left-handers, decades apart, to be linked through performance. Anytime a Brewers pitcher is mentioned in the same conversation as Sabathia, whose legendary run back in '08 won't ever be forgotten, it's clear they have something special working for them.