As the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare to resume their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET, fans are eagerly anticipating the duel between Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie ace Paul Skenes. This encounter marks only the second career meeting between the two outstanding talents, creating a buzz among baseball enthusiasts.
Their first showdown took place earlier in June at PNC Park. On that occasion, Skenes had the upper hand, striking out Ohtani in their initial face-off. However, Ohtani, known for his resilience and remarkable skill, responded emphatically later in the game. In their subsequent encounter, Ohtani launched a 415-foot home run, exemplifying his prowess as one of the game's most formidable hitters. Not stopping there, Ohtani managed a solid single in their final at-bat that night, registering his hardest-hit ball of the evening at an impressive 107.6 mph exit velocity.
This season has seen Ohtani continue to make headlines, though not from the pitcher's mound. Currently sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery, Ohtani has been focused on his role as a full-time designated hitter. In doing so, he is striving to become the first player to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award solely as a designated hitter. Such an accolade would be a testament to his extraordinary talents and contributions to the game.
Ohtani has been exceptional when facing high-velocity pitches. Against pitches clocked at 98 mph or harder, he boasts a batting average of .500, going 9 for 18. The average exit velocity of these hits stands at a remarkable 99.8 mph. Nearly 82% of Ohtani's balls in play this season have exceeded a 95 mph exit velocity, indicating his consistency in making powerful contact. However, it’s worth noting that his 40% whiff rate on pitches of 98 mph or harder is markedly above the league average of 24.7%.
On the other side of the mound, Paul Skenes has rapidly emerged as a dominant force for the Pirates. With an average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, Skenes ranks fourth in the majors in this category, trailing only Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes is not just an ordinary rookie; he is on a quest to make history by becoming the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game. Additionally, he is vying to achieve the rare feat of winning both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same season. The only player to have accomplished this remarkable double is Fernando Valenzuela.
The stakes are high for both teams in tonight's game. The Dodgers hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West and have a staggering 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. For the Pirates, the postseason dream is hanging by a thread. They are 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot and are looking to overcome a difficult five-game losing streak that has severely dented their chances.
Reflecting on his previous encounter with Ohtani, Paul 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." His comments capture the mutual respect between the two players while highlighting the competitive intensity that such matchups bring to the sport.
Tonight's game will be the last regular-season meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year, barring a postseason clash. Fans of both teams are undoubtedly looking forward to an evening of thrilling baseball. For those marking their calendars, the next Pirates-Dodgers series is set for April 25-27, 2025. Until then, tonight's showdown promises to be a memorable chapter in the ongoing saga of these two clubs and their star players.