The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to continue their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET, promising another thrilling encounter between two standout players, Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers and Paul Skenes of the Pirates.
This matchup marks only the second career meeting between Ohtani and Skenes. The first encounter, which took place in early June at PNC Park, showcased the raw talent both players bring to the field. During that meeting, Skenes managed to strike out Ohtani in their initial showdown, a testament to his prowess on the mound. However, Ohtani answered back with a 415-foot home run in their subsequent face-off, proving once again why he's one of the most exciting players in baseball. To cap off the night, Ohtani delivered a solid single, the hardest-hit ball of the game, clocking in at a blistering 107.6 mph exit velocity.
While Ohtani is currently sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery, his presence as a designated hitter remains impactful. Striving to become the first full-time DH to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, Ohtani's performance this season has been nothing short of spectacular. He has gone 9 for 18 against pitches of 98 mph or harder, boasting an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph. Remarkably, nearly 82% of Ohtani's balls in play exceed a 95 mph exit velocity. Despite his 40% whiff rate on these pitches, which is above the league average of 24.7%, Ohtani continues to demonstrate his offensive power.
On the other side of the diamond, Paul Skenes has quickly made a name for himself in the league. With an average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, he ranks fourth in the majors, trailing only Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes is attempting to carve out his own place in history by becoming the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game and aiming to secure both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year, a feat only Fernando Valenzuela has achieved.
Reflecting on his previous 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." This candid admission underscores the mutual respect and competitive spirit between the two players.
Currently, the Dodgers hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West and boast a 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. Their consistent performance has been a critical factor in maintaining their dominant position. In contrast, the Pirates find themselves 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot, grappling to keep their postseason hopes alive amidst a five-game losing streak.
As the final meeting of the regular season between these two teams, tonight's game carries significant weight, particularly for the Pirates. With their last face-off scheduled for April 25-27, 2025, fans and players alike are acutely aware of the stakes involved. For the Dodgers, it's an opportunity to solidify their postseason ambitions. For the Pirates, it represents one of their last chances to turn the tide and make a playoff push.
In the ongoing narrative of Major League Baseball, few matchups offer the kind of drama and excitement as the pairing of Ohtani and Skenes. With each at-bat and each pitch, they continue to etch their names into the annals of the sport, providing memorable moments that captivate fans and inspire aspiring players worldwide.