Tonight at 9 p.m. ET, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates will continue their weekend series, featuring an eagerly anticipated matchup between Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie ace Paul Skenes. Baseball fans are in for a treat as these two standout performers face each other for only the second time in their careers.
A Rematch to Watch
The first encounter between Ohtani and Skenes took place in early June at PNC Park, where baseball enthusiasts witnessed a thrilling duel. In that game, Skenes managed to strike out Ohtani in their initial face-off, showcasing his formidable pitching prowess. However, Ohtani quickly made adjustments and responded with a spectacular 415-foot home run in their subsequent meeting that night, followed by a solid single that clocked in at an impressive 107.6 mph exit velocity—the hardest-hit ball of the evening for Ohtani.
Reflecting on their previous encounter, 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 mindset epitomizes the mutual respect and competitiveness between these two elite athletes.
Ohtani's Stellar Performance
Shohei Ohtani's performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. Although currently sidelined from pitching due to recovery, Ohtani continues to make his mark as a hitter. His stats against pitches of 98 mph or harder are particularly impressive, with Ohtani going 9 for 18 with an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph. Almost 82% of Ohtani's balls in play this season have exceeded 95 mph exit velocity. However, his 40% whiff rate on such fast pitches is above the league average of 24.7%, highlighting the high-stakes nature of his confrontations at the plate.
Ohtani is aiming to make history as the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, a testament to his exceptional contributions to the game both as a hitter and a pitcher.
Skenes' Rise to Prominence
Paul Skenes, on the other hand, is having a remarkable rookie season. His average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph ranks him fourth in the majors, trailing only Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes is not just gunning for a strong finish to the season; he also aims to become the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game, as well as to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year—an achievement only the legendary Fernando Valenzuela has accomplished.
Playoff Implications
The stakes for tonight's game are high for both teams, adding an extra layer of excitement. The Dodgers are currently leading the National League West with a 2 1/2-game lead, boasting 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 and are striving to keep their postseason hopes alive amid a challenging five-game losing streak.
Tonight’s game also marks the last scheduled meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this season unless both teams make it to the playoffs. Fans will have to wait until April 25-27, 2025, for the next Pirates-Dodgers series, making this encounter all the more significant.
As both teams take the field, all eyes will be on Ohtani and Skenes. Their duel will not only be a focal point of tonight’s game but will also offer a thrilling chapter in their evolving rivalry. While the Dodgers look to extend their lead and inch closer to a playoff berth, the Pirates fight to stay in contention, making tonight’s showdown an unmissable event for baseball aficionados.