The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to continue their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET, with the spotlight on an intriguing pitching matchup featuring Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie ace Paul Skenes. As these two teams collide, fans are eagerly anticipating a showdown that promises to be a fascinating blend of raw power and emerging talent.
A Clash of Titans
This game will mark only the second career meeting between Ohtani and Skenes, a storyline that has already captured the imagination of baseball enthusiasts. Their first encounter in early June at PNC Park was nothing short of dramatic. Skenes, armed with his blistering fastball, managed to strike out Ohtani in their initial face-off. However, the Japanese superstar quickly retaliated by launching a towering 415-foot home run in their subsequent meeting.
Ohtani did not stop there, rounding off that evening with a solid single, clocking at 107.6 mph exit velocity – his hardest-hit ball of the game. Despite being primarily designated as a hitter due to recovery, Ohtani remains one of the most electrifying players in Major League Baseball. His relentless drive and exceptional skill set have positioned him as a candidate to become the first full-time designated hitter to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, a testament to his extraordinary abilities on the field.
Stats That Speak Volumes
Ohtani's impressive stats this season further underline his prowess. He has gone 9 for 18 against pitches clocking at 98 mph or harder, boasting an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph on these pitches. Nearly 82% of his balls in play exceed a 95 mph exit velocity, showcasing his elite bat speed and power. Nevertheless, Ohtani’s 40% whiff rate on pitches of this velocity is notably higher than the league average of 24.7%, indicating that there are still moments where pitchers can overpower him.
Paul Skenes, on the other hand, has quickly made a name for himself with an average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, ranking fourth in the majors. Only a select few – Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley – throw harder. Skenes’ aspirations are sky-high; he aims to become the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game and is vying to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year. A rare feat achieved only by Fernando Valenzuela in 1981.
High Stakes for Dodgers and Pirates
As both teams prepare for this critical matchup, the stakes remain high. The Dodgers, currently holding a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West, have a staggering 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. Their consistent performance has made them a formidable opponent throughout the season.
Conversely, the Pirates are fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive. They sit 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot, struggling to regain momentum following a debilitating five-game losing streak. This game marks the last regular-season meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates unless they face off in the playoffs, making it a crucial game for Pittsburgh’s aspirations.
Reflecting on his previous encounters with Ohtani, 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."
The intense rivalry between these two dynamic players promises to make tonight's game a must-watch. As fans settle in to witness another chapter of this burgeoning saga, the only certainty is that baseball history could be in the making.
The Pirates and Dodgers are scheduled to meet again on April 25-27, 2025, in what will undoubtedly be another highly anticipated series. For now, all eyes are on the mound as Shohei Ohtani and Paul Skenes prepare to face each other once more, each aiming to outdo the other in a battle of wills and skill.