As the Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates gear up for their weekend series-concluding clash tonight at 9 p.m. ET, the baseball world eagerly anticipates a compelling matchup. Headlining this contest are the Dodgers’ two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani and the Pirates’ rookie ace Paul Skenes, offering fans a rare showdown of talent and emerging stardom.
An Intriguing Rematch
This game will mark only the second career meeting between Ohtani and Skenes. Their first encounter, which took place in early June at PNC Park, was nothing short of electrifying. In that initial meeting, Skenes struck out Ohtani in their first showdown. However, Ohtani, known for his resilience, retaliated with a monstrous 415-foot home run in their subsequent face-off. Rounding off the night, Ohtani delivered a solid single, which was his hardest-hit ball of the evening, clocking an exit velocity of 107.6 mph.
Sharing his thoughts on facing Ohtani, Skenes noted, "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 Mastery
Shohei Ohtani, currently sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery, continues to impress as a designated hitter. With aspirations of becoming the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, Ohtani’s stats this season bolster his case. Notably, he has gone 9 for 18 against pitches clocking at 98 mph or harder, boasting an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph. Incredibly, nearly 82% of Ohtani's balls in play exceed a 95 mph exit velocity, underscoring his elite hitting prowess.
Despite these impressive numbers, Ohtani's whiff rate on pitches of 98 mph or harder stands at 40%, significantly above the league average of 24.7%. Such statistics will certainly play a role in tonight's match against Skenes, who brings formidable heat from the mound.
Skenes’ Rise to Stardom
Paul Skenes has quickly risen through the ranks, with his average four-seam fastball velocity registering at 98.9 mph, placing him fourth in the majors. The pitchers leading this category are Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. With aspirations not just for Rookie of the Year but also the coveted Cy Young Award, Skenes is on a mission to etch his name in baseball's history books. Should he succeed, he would join an exclusive club; Fernando Valenzuela remains the only player to have achieved both honors in the same year.
Competitive Context
The Dodgers, leading the National League West by 2 1/2 games, have strong playoff prospects, with a 98.4% chance of reaching the postseason. In contrast, the Pirates find themselves 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot, their postseason hopes dwindling after a five-game losing streak. This game, therefore, holds critical significance for both teams.
This will be the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates for this season unless fate aligns for a playoff clash. Fans will have to wait until April 25-27, 2025, for their next regular-season series.
Tonight's game promises more than just a regular season matchup. It’s a showcase of talent, resilience, and the unpredictable excitement that makes baseball so captivating. Whether it's Ohtani's next home run or Skenes' blazing fastball, each pitch will be under the spotlight as fans witness two of the game's brightest stars go head-to-head once more.