The Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates are slated to clash tonight at 9 p.m. ET, continuing what has been an engaging weekend series. Highlighting tonight's game will be the matchup between Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie ace Paul Skenes. This anticipated duel marks only the second career face-off between these two exceptional players.
In their initial encounter earlier this season at PNC Park, Skenes delivered an impressive performance, striking out Ohtani in their first showdown. However, Ohtani quickly adjusted, smashing a 415-foot home run in their subsequent face-off and following it up with a solid single in his final at-bat of the evening. The single registered an impressive 107.6 mph exit velocity, making it Ohtani's hardest-hit ball that night.
Although Ohtani is sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery, his presence as a designated hitter remains formidable. He’s striving to become the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, bolstered by his incredible performance against high-velocity pitches this season. Ohtani has gone 9 for 18 against pitches of 98 mph or harder, with an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph. Nearly 82% of his balls in play exceed a 95 mph exit velocity, showcasing his exceptional hitting power. However, his 40% whiff rate on these high-speed pitches is higher than the league average of 24.7%.
Paul Skenes, on the other hand, boasts an average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, placing him fourth in the majors. The only pitchers faster than Skenes in this regard are Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes isn't just aiming for a strong season; he has his sights set on becoming the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game. He’s also vying to join Fernando Valenzuela as the only player to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year.
Reflecting on his previous battle with Ohtani, Skenes offered a candid analysis, saying, "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."
As the Dodgers enter tonight’s game, they hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West and a commanding 98.4% chance of making the playoffs. In contrast, the Pirates find themselves 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot, struggling to keep their postseason hopes alive after a recent five-game losing streak. This makes tonight's game crucial for both teams, albeit for different reasons. It will be the final meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year unless they meet again in the playoffs. The next series between these two teams isn’t scheduled until April 2025, further raising the stakes for this concluding matchup of the season.
With two elite players facing off and significant playoff implications at hand, tonight’s Dodgers-Pirates game promises to be anything but ordinary. Both Ohtani and Skenes have demonstrated their prowess and potential in their previous encounters. For Ohtani, breaking records and striving for the MVP title is a testament to his versatility and skill. On the other hand, Skenes’ rocket arm and ambitions of multiple accolades make him a player to watch both now and in the future.
The fans will be in for a treat as these two powerhouses showcase their talents, undoubtedly adding another thrilling chapter to their budding rivalry. As the first pitch approaches, the anticipation builds for a game that could very well be a defining moment in the season for both teams.