The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are primed for an electrifying showdown as they continue their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET. The spotlight will be on Los Angeles' extraordinary Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie sensation Paul Skenes in what promises to be a captivating encounter.
This game will be the second career meeting between Ohtani and Skenes. Their first clash unfolded in early June at PNC Park, an eventful game that left fans eager for a rematch. In their initial face-off, Skenes got the better of Ohtani, striking him out in a memorable showdown. However, Ohtani proved why he is one of the game's premier talents in subsequent at-bats, launching a towering 415-foot home run and capping the night with a solid single. The single, which registered a blistering 107.6 mph exit velocity, was the hardest-hit ball by Ohtani that evening.
Unfortunately for Dodgers fans, Ohtani is currently sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery but remains a formidable presence at the plate. Ohtani’s pursuit of history continues as he aims to become the first full-time designated hitter to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. His statistics this season bolster his MVP bid; Ohtani has gone 9 for 18 against pitches clocking at 98 mph or harder, with an impressive average exit velocity of 99.8 mph. Roughly 82% of Ohtani's balls in play exceed a 95 mph exit velocity, showcasing his phenomenal hitting prowess.
Paul Skenes, on the other hand, is making his mark with an average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, earning him a fourth-place ranking in the majors in this category. Skenes is trailing only Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley, underscoring his elite status as a rookie. Skenes is not just looking to dominate the regular season; he is ambitiously eyeing a historic feat of becoming the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game while also aiming to capture both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year. It’s a remarkable aspiration only achieved by Fernando Valenzuela.
The Dodgers come into tonight's game holding a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West and boast a staggering 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. In contrast, the Pirates are 4 1/2 games adrift from the final wild-card spot and are grappling with the weight of a five-game losing streak, which has severely dented their postseason aspirations.
Adding to the stakes, this game will be the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this season unless fate brings them face-to-face in the playoffs. The next scheduled series between these two teams will not occur until April 25-27, 2025, making tonight’s matchup a must-watch for fans on both sides.
Reflecting on his prior encounters with Ohtani, Skenes shared his thoughts: "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."
Both teams are acutely aware of the gravity of tonight’s contest. For the Dodgers, a win would further solidify their command in the division and inch them closer to a postseason berth. For the Pirates, it represents an opportunity to halt their slide and keep their playoff dreams alive.
As the game draws near, fans and analysts alike are brimming with anticipation. Will Ohtani continue to dazzle with his bat? Can Skenes showcase the poise and skill that have defined his breakout season? One thing is certain: this is baseball at its finest, a duel of talents that transcends the ordinary and steps firmly into the realm of extraordinary.