Dodgers vs. Pirates: A Duel of Aces Amid Playoff Push
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to continue their weekend series tonight at 9 p.m. ET, highlighting a clash between two prominent pitchers: Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie sensation Paul Skenes. This highly anticipated game marks just the second career meeting between Ohtani and Skenes, with their first encounter occurring in early June at PNC Park.
Previous Showdowns
In their initial showdown, Skenes managed to strike out Ohtani, showcasing his formidable talent on the mound. However, the dynamic between the two players swiftly evolved as Ohtani responded in kind, blasting a 415-foot home run in their next face-off. The heated competition continued throughout the night, culminating in Ohtani hitting a solid single with an impressive exit velocity of 107.6 mph, his hardest-hit ball of the evening.
Reflecting on their battle, 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." This mutual respect underlines the high stakes and competitive spirit that both players bring to the game.
Ohtani's Offensive Prowess
Despite being sidelined as a pitcher due to recovery, Ohtani continues to shine as a designated hitter. His pursuit of becoming the first full-time DH to win a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award remains a significant storyline this season. Impressively, Ohtani 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 his balls in play exceed a 95 mph exit velocity, a testament to his extraordinary hitting capability. However, his 40% whiff rate on such high-velocity pitches is above the league average of 24.7%, indicating that while he’s capable of handling the heat, it doesn’t come without its challenges.
Skenes' Remarkable Rise
On the other side of the mound stands Paul Skenes, whose average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph ranks him fourth in the majors. The only pitchers ahead of him are Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. Skenes harbors ambitions that extend beyond this season; he aims to become the first player drafted to start the All-Star Game and has his sights set on winning both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year. If successful, he would join Fernando Valenzuela as the only player to achieve this rare double honor.
Team Dynamics and Playoff Implications
As the Dodgers hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West with a 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs, each game carries significant weight in maintaining their momentum. Conversely, the Pirates find themselves 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot, struggling to keep their postseason hopes alive amid a five-game losing streak. This game will also mark the final meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year unless they both advance to the playoffs. Fans will have to wait until April 25-27, 2025, for the next Pirates-Dodgers series.