The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to continue their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET, a matchup that promises plenty of excitement for baseball fans. The game will feature Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie ace Paul Skenes, marking their second career showdown.
Ohtani and Skenes are both standout players in their own right, and their first encounter back in early June at PNC Park did not disappoint. Skenes managed to strike out Ohtani in their initial showdown, but Ohtani retaliated by hitting a 415-foot home run and later delivering a solid single that clocked in at a 107.6 mph exit velocity—the hardest-hit ball of the night.
Ohtani's Remarkable Season
Shohei Ohtani's performances this season have been phenomenal, even though he has been sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery. His goal of becoming the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award remains very much alive. Ohtani's stats against high-velocity pitches are particularly impressive. He has gone 9 for 18 against pitches clocking in at 98 mph or harder, with an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph. Nearly 82% of Ohtani's balls in play exceed a 95 mph exit velocity.
However, Ohtani does have a 40% whiff rate on pitches over 98 mph, a figure that is considerably higher than the league average of 24.7%. This stat highlights the challenges he faces against elite fastball pitchers like Skenes.
Skenes' Stellar Pitching
On the other side, Paul Skenes is making waves in his rookie season. He ranks fourth in the majors for average four-seam fastball velocity, which sits at an impressive 98.9 mph. The only pitchers ahead of Skenes in this category are Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes is chasing historic accolades, aiming to become the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game and to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year—a feat achieved only by Fernando Valenzuela.
Narrative Matchup
The duel between Ohtani and Skenes is not just a statistical matchup but a compelling narrative as well. Skenes reflected on their first encounter, 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."
For fans, the game offers an opportunity to witness two exceptional athletes go head-to-head. The Dodgers currently hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West with a 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. Conversely, the Pirates are struggling to keep their postseason hopes alive, sitting 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot after a five-game losing streak.
Final Meeting of the Season
Tonight's game will be the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year, barring a potential playoff encounter. Fans will have to wait until April 25-27, 2025, for the next scheduled series between these two teams.
With high stakes for both teams and individual milestones on the line for Ohtani and Skenes, tonight's game is set to be a captivating chapter in the ongoing saga of these two baseball standouts. Whether it’s Ohtani's potent bat or Skenes' blistering fastball, the outcome promises to be a thrilling display of skill and strategy.