The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are poised to continue their intriguing weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET. Headlining the matchup is the face-off between Los Angeles' dynamic Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's electrifying rookie ace Paul Skenes. This highly anticipated game marks only the second career meeting between the two baseball phenoms, with their first encounter having taken place in early June at PNC Park.
Ohtani vs. Skenes: A Battle of Titans
The initial showdown between Ohtani and Skenes was a spectacle, to say the least. Skenes managed to strike out Ohtani in their very first confrontation, a pitch that showcased his prowess and poise as a rookie on the big stage. However, Ohtani came roaring back, delivering a 415-foot home run during their subsequent face-off and later hitting a solid single during their final at-bat that night. The single, notable for its sheer power, registered a blistering 107.6 mph exit velocity, marking Ohtani's hardest-hit ball of the evening.
Ohtani's impact on the game transcends his hitting abilities. Though currently sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery, he is striving to make history by becoming the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. This season, Ohtani has exhibited a remarkable aptitude for hitting high-velocity pitches. He has gone 9 for 18 against pitches clocking in at 98 mph or harder, boasting an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph on these pitches. Nearly 82% of his balls in play have exceeded a 95 mph exit velocity. However, it hasn't been entirely smooth sailing for the Japanese star, as he has a 40% whiff rate on such high-velocity pitches, notably above the league average of 24.7%.
Paul Skenes: A Meteoric Rise
On the other side of the diamond, Paul Skenes has been making waves with his formidable pitching. Averaging a four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, he currently ranks fourth in the majors, trailing only the likes of Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes is demonstrating poise beyond his years as he aims to become the first player ever drafted to start the All-Star Game. Additionally, the young pitcher has set his sights on winning both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year—a feat only accomplished once before by Fernando Valenzuela.
Reflecting on his previous encounter with Ohtani, Skenes stated, "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."
The Stakes: Playoff Aspirations
This game holds significant weight for both teams as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season. The Dodgers currently lead the National League West by 2 1/2 games and boast a 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. In stark contrast, the Pirates are struggling to keep their postseason hopes alive. They are 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot, reeling from a five-game losing streak. This matchup becomes all the more consequential as it represents the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year, barring a potential postseason clash. Fans will have to wait until April 25-27, 2025, for the next series between these two teams.
Tonight's game is more than just a battle for playoff positions; it's a showcase of raw talent and a preview of potential future matchups that could become legendary. As Shohei Ohtani and Paul Skenes take the field, the baseball world will be watching closely, eager to witness another chapter in this captivating rivalry unfold.