The weekend series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates promises to be a thrilling matchup, especially with the highly-anticipated clash of two standout players: Shohei Ohtani and Paul Skenes. As the game is set to begin tonight at 9 p.m. ET, fans are eager to witness the second career meeting between these two talents.
In their first encounter earlier in June at PNC Park, Skenes managed to strike out Ohtani in an intense showdown. However, Ohtani responded swiftly, hitting a monumental 415-foot home run in their subsequent face-off. That night ended with Ohtani hitting a powerful single, clocking in at an impressive 107.6 mph exit velocity, marking his hardest-hit ball of the evening.
Ohtani's Stellar Performance Despite Setbacks
While Ohtani is currently sidelined from pitching duties due to recovery, his contributions as a designated hitter remain invaluable. Ohtani is on a compelling quest to become the first full-time designated hitter to clinch a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. His performance against pitches of 98 mph or harder this season has been remarkable, with a 9 for 18 record and an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph. Additionally, 82% of his balls in play exceed an exit velocity of 95 mph.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing for the Dodgers' star. Ohtani’s 40% whiff rate on pitches of 98 mph or harder is above the league average of 24.7%. Despite this, his relentless drive and exceptional hitting skills have kept him in the spotlight.
Skenes' Rising Star
On the other side of the diamond stands Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh's rookie ace. With an average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, Skenes is fourth in the majors in this category, right behind Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes is aiming to make history by becoming the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game, and he has set his sights on securing both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same season. This feat has only been accomplished once before by Fernando Valenzuela.
Reflecting on his previous matchup against 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." His respect for Ohtani’s capabilities underscores the level of competition and mutual admiration between the two athletes.
Playoff Implications
Tonight's game is more than just a display of individual talents; it carries significant implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations. The Dodgers currently hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West and have a 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. In stark contrast, the Pirates are 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot and are struggling to revive their postseason hopes after a challenging five-game losing streak.
This game will be the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year unless they face off in the playoffs. The next guaranteed series between these teams is scheduled for April 25-27, 2025.
The spotlight tonight will undoubtedly be on Ohtani and Skenes, two players defined by their extraordinary skills and aspirations. The stakes are high, and both teams will be looking to capitalize on this critical juncture in the season. As the fans eagerly anticipate the first pitch, the narratives of resilience, competition, and ambition will play out under the bright lights, promising a game to remember.