The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to continue their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET, sparking a highly anticipated showdown between Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie ace Paul Skenes.
A Tale of Two Stars: Ohtani vs. Skenes
This game marks only the second career meeting between Ohtani and Skenes, both of whom have become focal points of this season's narrative. Their first encounter took place in early June at PNC Park, where Skenes struck out Ohtani in their initial showdown. However, Ohtani responded by blasting a 415-foot home run in their subsequent face-off and later delivered a solid single in their final at-bat of the evening. The single, notably, was Ohtani's hardest-hit ball of the night, clocking in at an impressive 107.6 mph exit velocity.
Reflecting on their initial meetings, Skenes humbly 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."
Ohtani's Offensive Excellence
Ohtani, though currently sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery, continues to mesmerize as a hitter. He is striving to become the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. His offensive prowess against high-speed pitches has been particularly remarkable this season, as he has gone 9 for 18 against pitches of 98 mph or harder, with an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph on these pitches. Nearly 82% of Ohtani's balls in play exceed 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%.
Skenes Making History
On the other side, Paul Skenes stands out for his exceptional fastball velocity. His average four-seam fastball velocity is clocked at 98.9 mph, ranking him fourth in the majors behind Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes is not just content with lighting up the radar gun; he’s aiming for historic accolades. He is attempting to become the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game and is also aiming to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year—an achievement only Fernando Valenzuela has managed in the past.
Team Stakes and Future Prospects
Team stakes add an additional layer of intensity to this contest. The Dodgers hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West and boast a 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. In contrast, the Pirates find themselves 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot, grappling with their postseason hopes after a demoralizing five-game losing streak. This game will be the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year unless they meet in the playoffs, with the next scheduled Pirates-Dodgers series set for April 25-27, 2025.
For the Pirates, the stakes are sky-high. Keeping their postseason dream alive requires overcoming their recent struggles, and defeating a powerhouse like the Dodgers could inject much-needed momentum into their campaign. Meanwhile, for the Dodgers, continuing their winning ways is crucial to maintaining their stronghold on the division and securing a favorable playoff position.
As the clock ticks down to first pitch, one thing is for certain: all eyes will be on Ohtani and Skenes. This is more than just a game; it's a showcase of two of baseball's most compelling talents going head-to-head, and fans can expect nothing short of a thrilling encounter.