The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to continue their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET, featuring an intriguing matchup between Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie ace Paul Skenes. This game marks only the second career meeting between these two dynamic players, adding an extra layer of excitement to the evening's contest.
The First Encounter
The initial showdown between Ohtani and Skenes occurred in early June at PNC Park. During their first encounter, Skenes struck out Ohtani, showcasing his powerful pitching skills. However, Ohtani quickly adjusted, hitting a 415-foot home run in their subsequent face-off. In their final at-bat that night, Ohtani drove a solid single, which was clocked at an impressive 107.6 mph exit velocity, making it his hardest-hit ball of the evening. Despite being temporarily sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery, Ohtani’s performance at the plate remains a significant factor for the Dodgers.
Ohtani's Remarkable Season
Shohei Ohtani is not just an ordinary player; he is striving to become the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. Ohtani's stats against fast pitches are impressive—he has gone 9 for 18 against pitches of 98 mph or harder this season, with an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph on those pitches. Nearly 82% of Ohtani's balls in play exceed a 95 mph exit velocity, demonstrating his consistent power. However, it is worth noting that Ohtani has a 40% whiff rate on pitches of 98 mph or harder, which is above the league average of 24.7%.
Skenes' Stellar Season
On the other hand, Paul Skenes, with an average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, ranks fourth in the majors for this category. The pitchers ahead of him include Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes aims to become the first player ever drafted to start the All-Star Game, and his ambitions do not stop there. He is also vying to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year, a feat achieved only by Fernando Valenzuela thus far.
Season Standings and Playoff Hopes
As the season progresses towards its conclusion, the stakes are high for both teams. The Dodgers currently hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West with a 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. Conversely, the Pirates are 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot and are struggling to keep their postseason hopes alive following a five-game losing streak. This game will be the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year, unless they meet in the playoffs. Fans will have to wait until April 25-27, 2025, for the next Pirates-Dodgers series.
Player Perspectives
Reflecting on his encounters with Ohtani, Skenes remarked, "I like to call that big on big because I obviously beat him a couple of times earlier. I think that was the right pitch to throw there, he's just a pretty darn good player. Stuff like that is going to happen." His words echo the respect and competitive spirit that define matchups of this caliber.
The stage is set for what promises to be an electrifying game, as fans eagerly anticipate the latest showdown between Shohei Ohtani and Paul Skenes. Will Ohtani's batting prowess overcome Skenes' powerful pitching, or will the rookie ace manage to outduel the MVP hopeful once again? The answers await under the bright lights tonight.