The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to continue their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET, bringing intriguing face-offs and high stakes to the forefront.
Ohtani vs. Skenes Round Two
One of the most anticipated aspects of tonight's game is the rematch between Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie sensation Paul Skenes. This marks only the second career meeting between these two standout players. Their first encounter, which took place in early June at PNC Park, had its fair share of fireworks and drama.
In their initial showdown, Skenes managed to strike out Ohtani, showcasing the talent that has made him a rising star. However, Ohtani, never one to back down, hit a 415-foot home run in their subsequent face-off and followed that with a solid single in their final at-bat of the night. This single was particularly notable as it registered an impressive 107.6 mph exit velocity, the hardest-hit ball of the evening for Ohtani.
Ohtani's Road to Recovery and Dominance
Currently sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery, Ohtani aims to make history from the batter's box. He is striving to become the first full-time designated hitter to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. His performance this season underscores his capabilities. Ohtani has gone 9 for 18 against pitches clocking in at 98 mph or harder, boasting an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph on these pitches. Nearly 82% of his balls in play exceed a 95 mph exit velocity, although he also holds a 40% whiff rate on such pitches, which is above the league average of 24.7%.
Skenes' Quest for Greatness
On the other side of the mound, Paul Skenes has also been turning heads. 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. Skenes is attempting to become the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game and has his sights set on both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards—a feat only Fernando Valenzuela has achieved in the same year.
Reflecting on his previous match-up with Ohtani, Skenes stated, "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."
Team Dynamics and Playoff Picture
The stakes are high for both teams as the season progresses. 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. The Pirates, conversely, are facing a tougher battle. They are 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot and have been struggling to keep their postseason hopes alive, especially after a recent five-game losing streak.
This game will serve as the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year unless they face off in the playoffs. Their next scheduled series won't occur until April 25-27, 2025, making tonight's game even more critical for both squads.
As fans eagerly await the next chapter in the Ohtani-Skenes rivalry, the outcome of this game could very well shape the trajectory of both teams' seasons. The spotlight will undoubtedly be on these two remarkable talents, but the broader team dynamics and playoff ambitions will make this match-up a must-watch event.