The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to continue their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET. The game promises to be an electrifying matchup, featuring Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie ace Paul Skenes. This encounter will mark only the second career meeting between these two formidable players.
In their first meeting in early June at PNC Park, Skenes struck out Ohtani in their initial showdown, but Ohtani responded by hitting a 415-foot home run in their subsequent face-off. He also managed to hit a solid single in their final at-bat that night, with the single being clocked at an impressive 107.6 mph exit velocity, Ohtani's hardest-hit ball of the evening.
Currently sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery, Ohtani is still making waves as he strives to become the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. His performance against high-velocity pitches has been particularly noteworthy this season. Ohtani has gone 9 for 18 against pitches clocked at 98 mph or harder, with an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph on these hits. Nearly 82% of Ohtani's balls in play exceed a 95 mph exit velocity. However, his 40% whiff rate on such pitches is noticeably above the league average of 24.7%, making his accomplishments all the more remarkable.
The Challenge of Paul Skenes
On the other side of the diamond, Paul Skenes has rapidly ascended to prominence with an average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, which ranks fourth in the majors. The only pitchers ahead of him in this category are Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley.
Skenes is not just focusing on high-velocity pitches; he is aiming to etch his name in the annals of baseball history. With aspirations to become the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game, Skenes is also eyeing both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year. A feat that, if accomplished, would place him alongside Fernando Valenzuela, the only player to have achieved this dual honor in a single season.
Skenes' competitiveness and respect for Ohtani were evident in his recent remarks: "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."
Season Standings and Playoff Prospects
As the season heats up, the Dodgers currently hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West, and their chances of reaching the playoffs are quite promising at 98.4%. The Pirates, on the other hand, are struggling to keep their postseason hopes alive. They stand 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot and are currently enduring a five-game losing streak.
Tonight's game will not only be a critical juncture in the ongoing season but also the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year unless they meet in the playoffs. The next scheduled series between these two teams is set for April 25-27, 2025, so fans of both teams will be eagerly anticipating this high-stakes showdown.
With Shohei Ohtani and Paul Skenes on the field, this game is more than just a regular season match; it's a confluence of extraordinary talent and potential. Whether it's the seasoned brilliance of Ohtani or the rising star of Skenes, tonight's game is set to be a captivating chapter in the narrative of this MLB season.