Paul Skenes has been an imposing figure in his MLB career thus far, showcasing his dominance on the mound. The matchup between Skenes and Shohei Ohtani was highly anticipated and did not disappoint in Wednesday’s game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Taking on the NL West-leading Dodgers in his fifth career start, Skenes started strong by striking out Mookie Betts and then facing Ohtani. Skenes unleashed a series of lightning-fast pitches, leaving Ohtani looking overmatched as he struck him out. This remarkable showdown set the tone for the game.
In a rematch in the third inning, Skenes faced Ohtani again, this time with the Pirates holding a commanding 7-0 lead. After a tense at-bat, Ohtani got the better of Skenes by hitting a 415-foot home run off his 100.1 mph fastball, marking the fastest pitch Ohtani has ever homered on in his career. Ohtani continued to impress by hitting a single off Skenes in the fifth inning.
This matchup was an exciting display of talent and skill, particularly for Skenes, who was once known for his two-way abilities as a hitter and pitcher. Despite transitioning to focusing on pitching after his collegiate career, Skenes idolized Ohtani as a two-way player and drew inspiration from him. Facing off against Ohtani allowed Skenes to witness firsthand the exceptional talent that he aspired to emulate.