The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are set for another thrilling clash tonight at 9 p.m. ET, continuing their weekend series. The game will once again spotlight two of baseball's brightest stars: Los Angeles' Shohei Ohtani and Pittsburgh's rookie sensation Paul Skenes.
Epic Showdown on the Mound
This will mark only the second career meeting between Ohtani and Skenes, a duo quickly becoming one of baseball's most riveting matchups. Their first encounter took place in early June at PNC Park, where the youngster Skenes managed to strike out the seasoned Ohtani in their inaugural showdown. However, Ohtani swiftly retaliated by smashing a 415-foot home run in their subsequent face-off and later added a solid single to his tally, which clocked in at a blistering 107.6 mph exit velocity, his hardest-hit ball of the evening.
"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," Skenes remarked, acknowledging the high-stakes nature of his duel with Ohtani.
Ohtani’s Stellar Batting Performance
Though currently sidelined from pitching duties due to recovery, Ohtani’s prowess at the plate continues to captivate fans and critics alike. He is striving to become the first full-time designated hitter to clinch the prestigious Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. So far, his season stats bode well for this historic bid: Ohtani has gone 9 for 18 against pitches clocking 98 mph or harder, with an average exit velocity of 99.8 mph. Nearly 82% of Ohtani's balls in play surpass a 95 mph exit velocity, though his 40% whiff rate on such pitches is notably above the league average of 24.7%.
Skenes’ Rising Stardom
On the other side, Paul Skenes is making an impressive case of his own. With an average four-seam fastball velocity of 98.9 mph, he ranks fourth in the majors, trailing only Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley. His exceptional skills are fueling his bid to become the first player ever drafted to start the All-Star Game, as well as the ambitious goal of nabbing both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year—a feat only achieved by Fernando Valenzuela in baseball history.
Playoff Implications
The stakes for this matchup extend far beyond individual accolades. The Dodgers currently hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West and boast a 98.4% chance of reaching the playoffs. In contrast, the Pirates are 4 1/2 games back from the final wild-card spot and are fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive after enduring a five-game losing streak. Tonight's game is crucial for the Pirates as they try to claw their way back into contention.
This game will be the last meeting between the Dodgers and Pirates this year, barring a postseason rendezvous. Fans can look forward to their next series scheduled for April 25-27, 2025, but for now, all eyes will be on this high-stakes confrontation under the lights,”