As the Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates continue their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on the mound as Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani faces off against Pittsburgh's rookie ace, Paul Skenes. This tantalizing pitching duel marks only the second career meeting between these two formidable talents, promising an electrifying contest under the lights.
Their first encounter this past June at PNC Park was nothing short of memorable. In that game, Skenes managed to strike out Ohtani in their first showdown, only to witness Ohtani responding with a 415-foot home run in their subsequent face-off. Not content with just one highlight, Ohtani also delivered a solid single during their final at-bat of the evening, clocking in at an impressive 107.6 mph exit velocity—his hardest-hit ball of the game.
Ohtani's Offense on Fire
Despite being sidelined from pitching due to recovery, Ohtani continues to make an impact as a hitter. His offensive stats this season are nothing short of astounding. The talented dual-threat player has gone 9 for 18 against pitches clocking in at 98 mph or harder, maintaining an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph on these pitches. Nearly 82% of his balls in play exceed a 95 mph exit velocity. Nonetheless, Ohtani's 40% whiff rate on pitches of 98 mph or harder remains above the league average of 24.7%, a statistic the Pirates' ace may look to exploit.
Ohtani's quest to become the first full-time designated hitter to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award adds another layer of intrigue to tonight's game. His robust offensive form places him firmly in contention, particularly given his impressive statistics against high-velocity pitches—traits that make tonight's encounter all the more compelling.
The Rise of Paul Skenes
Paul Skenes, a rising star in his own right, is pitching with undeniable skill and determination. Averaging a four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, Skenes ranks fourth in the majors in this category, trailing only Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. The rookie ace is also vying to make history by becoming the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game, and his aspirations don't stop there. Skenes aims to emulate Fernando Valenzuela by securing both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same season.
Reflecting on his past 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."
Season Implications
As we move deeper into the season, tonight's game could have substantial ramifications for both teams. The Dodgers currently hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West, with a staggering 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. Conversely, the Pirates are 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot, their postseason dreams hanging by a thread after a disheartening five-game losing streak.
This game marks the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year unless they face off again in the playoffs. The two teams are scheduled to meet next in April 2025, setting the stage for what could be a high-stakes conclusion to their 2023 encounters.
For fans and analysts alike, the showdown between Ohtani and Skenes offers a glimpse into the future of baseball's elite talent. With the stakes high and both players aiming to cement their legacies, tonight's game is not one to be missed.