The Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates are set to intensify the excitement of their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET, featuring a captivating duel between Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie ace Paul Skenes. This matchup marks only the second career meeting between these two extraordinary talents.
A Battle of Titans
Their first encounter occurred in early June at PNC Park, where Skenes’ rookie prowess was unmistakable. In their initial showdown, Skenes struck out Ohtani, yet the tables quickly turned in their following face-off when Ohtani hammered a 415-foot home run. The thrill didn't end there; Ohtani also delivered a solid single in their final at-bat that night, which was clocked at an impressive 107.6 mph exit velocity, making it his hardest-hit ball of the evening.
Ohtani's Formidable Season
While Ohtani is currently sidelined as a pitcher as he recovers, his offensive prowess continues to shine. Embarking on a quest to become the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, Ohtani’s statistics against high-speed pitches this season are nothing short of awe-inspiring. He has gone 9 for 18 against pitches clocking at 98 mph or harder, boasting an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph. Remarkably, nearly 82% of Ohtani's balls in play have exceeded a 95 mph exit velocity. However, it's worth noting that his 40% whiff rate on such pitches is above the league average of 24.7%.
Skenes' Remarkable Debut
Paul Skenes, on the other hand, has been a revelation. With an average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, Skenes ranks fourth in the majors in this category. The pitchers ahead of him include Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes not only aims to become the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game but also has his sights set on winning both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year. If he succeeds, he would join an elite club with Fernando Valenzuela, the only player to have previously achieved this feat.
The Stakes for Both Teams
As the Dodgers and Pirates clash, the stakes couldn't be higher. The Dodgers currently hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West, with a staggering 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. Conversely, the Pirates find themselves 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot and are grappling to salvage their postseason hopes following a five-game losing streak.
Final Showdown of the Season
This game will be the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year unless destiny brings them face-to-face in the playoffs. Their next series is scheduled for April 25-27, 2025, making tonight's game a critical moment for both teams. Reflecting on his past encounters with Ohtani, Paul Skenes said, "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."
The stage is set, the players are primed, and the fans are abuzz with anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling continuation of a budding rivalry between two remarkable talents and their respective teams.