The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to continue their weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight at 9 p.m. ET, and all eyes are on the marquee pitching matchup featuring Shohei Ohtani and the Pirates' rookie sensation Paul Skenes. This encounter marks only the second career meeting between the two, adding an extra layer of anticipation to an already thrilling season.
In their first showdown at PNC Park in early June, Skenes initially struck out Ohtani, demonstrating his formidable potential on the mound. However, Ohtani quickly recovered, hitting a towering 415-foot home run in their subsequent face-off, followed by a blistering single in his final at-bat that night, clocking a remarkable 107.6 mph exit velocity.
Ohtani's Stellar Season
Despite being sidelined as a pitcher while recovering from an injury, Ohtani continues to make headlines as a hitter. He is on a quest to become the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, driven by his stellar performance this season. Notably, Ohtani has proven to be a nightmare for pitchers' high-velocity offerings, going 9 for 18 against pitches of 98 mph or harder. His average exit velocity on these pitches stands at an impressive 99.8 mph, with nearly 82% of his balls in play exceeding a 95 mph exit velocity. Nevertheless, Ohtani's 40% whiff rate on such pitches remains above the league average of 24.7%.
Skenes' Meteoric Rise
For Paul Skenes, the pressure to maintain his stellar performances is mounting. The rookie's average four-seam fastball velocity is 98.9 mph, ranking him fourth in the majors behind Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes is not only looking to solidify his place in the league but also aims for unprecedented accolades, including becoming the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game and winning both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year. Achieving these milestones would place him in the rarefied company of Fernando Valenzuela, the only player in history to have accomplished a similar feat.
Skenes is acutely aware of the challenges he faces, especially when matched against a player of Ohtani's caliber. Reflecting on their past encounters, 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."
Team Outlooks
The Dodgers are on a roll, currently holding a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West with a 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. Their consistent performance throughout the season has solidified their status as one of the top teams in the league.
On the other hand, the Pirates are struggling to keep their postseason hopes alive. They are 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot and are reeling from a recent five-game losing streak. Securing a win in tonight's game against the Dodgers could be pivotal in shifting the momentum in their favor.
Looking Forward
This matchup is particularly significant as it will be the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year unless they meet in the playoffs. Fans won't have to wait too long to see these teams clash again, as their next series is scheduled for April 25-27, 2025. Until then, the baseball world will be eagerly awaiting further thrilling encounters between Ohtani and Skenes, both of whom are carving out extraordinary careers in the sport.