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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 25: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after a fly out against Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on April 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
On Friday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers will open up a series with the Mike Trout and the Angels (at Angel Stadium).
Shohei Ohtani has had a slow start to the year as a hitter, but he still remains one of the elite pitchers in all of baseball.
During their series with the San Francisco Giants (on May 13), Ohtani went 7.0 innings (and allowed just four hits with no runs).
Paul Skenes Makes Honest Statement About Ohtani
GettyShohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to a pitch during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on May 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Recently, Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes did an interview with ESPN’s Pat McAfee.
He made an honest statement about Ohtani.
Skenes: “I would say pitching is probably as good as it’s ever been and it will probably only continue to get better… Shohei, he makes me really glad I’m not a hitter anymore. I don’t want to face guys like him.”
“I would say pitching is probably as good as it’s ever been and it will only continue to get better..
Shohei Ohtani makes me really glad I’m not a hitter anymore” ~ @Paul_Skenes #PMSLive
Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years. He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar