Thursday’s series finale at PNC Park should be a must-watch for anyone who loves pitching. The reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers send Blake Snell to the mound to face Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes in what promises to be a classic pitchers’ duel.
Honestly, I care, and I think you should too. This isn’t a playoff preview, but any time you get Blake Snell and LA taking on Paul Skenes and the Pirates, it’s worth paying attention.
Dodgers Vs. Pirates Pitchers’ Duel: Paul Skenes vs. Blake Snell
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Skenes (9-9, 2.05 ERA) has already cemented himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in the majors. The 23-year-old right-hander owns a career ERA that is one of the best through 51 starts in over 100 years and he’s racked up 187 strikeouts with a 0.95 WHIP. In 28 starts this season, he has allowed more than one earned run at home only three times and shut out the Dodgers for 6 1/3 innings earlier this year. “To say the guy is dominant is an understatement,” one observer noted.
Yet the Pirates are in a tough spot. They’re out of playoff contention, and Skenes represents one of the few chances to showcase their roster while evaluating talent for next season. With four years of team control remaining, Pittsburgh can’t afford to waste this window — or risk losing their ace in a trade if they fail to surround him with competitive pieces.
Snell (3-3, 2.41 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) will counter for the Dodgers, who have struggled a bit since the World Series hangover set in. Los Angeles has been roughly a .500 team since mid-June and has lost four of its past five games, but they remain atop the NL West. Snell’s presence is likely to be a boost: in 28.1 innings since returning from the paternity list, he’s allowed just eight earned runs. “He’s a big-game pitcher and should be pumped up for this game,” a Dodgers source said.
The Dodgers will also be without catcher Will Smith, who exited Wednesday’s game after a foul ball to the hand. Dalton Rushing is likely to see extended time behind the plate if Smith misses any action. Max Muncy remains on the injured list, but despite these challenges, Los Angeles has more than enough depth to remain a serious World Series contender.
Thursday’s matchup is a study in contrasts: the league’s top young ace versus a proven left-handed veteran, a contender versus a rebuilding squad. Skenes has been nearly untouchable this season, holding teams to two or fewer runs in 23 starts and zero earned runs 11 times. Still, even with him on the mound, the Pirates are just 15-13 in his starts, highlighting that one pitcher alone can’t carry a season.
For Dodgers fans, this is a chance to see their club battle one of the best arms in baseball while navigating a rough patch. For Pirates fans, it’s a rare opportunity to witness Skenes in full dominance and imagine what the next few years could hold — if Pittsburgh acts wisely.