The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to continue their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET, a matchup that promises excitement as Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani faces off against Pittsburgh's rookie ace, Paul Skenes. This game is particularly notable as it marks only the second career meeting between the two standout players.
Ohtani vs. Skenes: The Story So Far
Their first encounter took place in early June at PNC Park, where Skenes managed to strike out Ohtani in their initial showdown. However, the tables quickly turned in their subsequent face-off, with Ohtani smashing a 415-foot home run. He also hit a solid single in their final at-bat that night, a hit that was clocked at 107.6 mph exit velocity, marking it as his hardest-hit ball of the evening.
Despite currently being sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery, Ohtani remains an offensive powerhouse. He is striving to become the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, a recognition that would cement his place in baseball history.
Ohtani's Dominance at the Plate
Ohtani's performance this season has been nothing short of spectacular. 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 fastballs. Nearly 82% of his balls in play have exceeded a 95 mph exit velocity. However, it's worth noting that his 40% whiff rate on pitches of 98 mph or harder is above the league average of 24.7%.
Paul Skenes, with an average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, will be a formidable opponent. He ranks fourth in the majors for average four-seam fastball velocity, trailing only Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes is not just aiming to be a promising rookie; he is targeting to become the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game and is also eyeing both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year, a feat achieved only by Fernando Valenzuela.
Team Dynamics and Playoff Hopes
The Dodgers currently hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West and have a 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. Their consistent performance this season has them poised for postseason action. In contrast, the Pirates find themselves 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot. Their recent five-game losing streak has put a damper on their postseason hopes, making tonight's game even more critical.
This game will be the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year unless they meet in the playoffs. The next scheduled series between these two teams won't occur until April 25-27, 2025.
What the Players Are Saying
Reflecting on the previous matchups against Ohtani, Paul 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." These comments highlight the mutual respect and competitive spirit shared between the two athletes.
As the series continues tonight, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Ohtani can continue his dominant performance at the plate and if Skenes can rise to the challenge, adding another chapter to this budding rivalry. With both teams having so much at stake, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter that could have significant implications for their respective postseason aspirations.