Paul Skenes on Shohei Ohtani's pitching dominance proves he's just like us

Apr 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) reacts as he receives a new baseball against the Washington Nationals during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates have one of, if not the best, pitchers in Major League Baseball in Paul Skenes. He's a Cy Young winner and has been as dominant as anyone the last two years.

Skenes might be atop the pitching world right now, but Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is giving him a good run for his money. Ohtani has been dominant this season in his first full season as a pitcher in some time.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Skenes shared his opinion on Ohtani's dominance this season, and it proves he's like all of the fans across MLB.

Paul Skenes is just like us with Shohei Ohtani comment

"Pitching is probably as good as it's ever been, and it's probably only will continue to get better," Skenes said. "Yeah, Shohei's... He makes me really glad I'm not a hitter anymore. I don't want to face guys like him."

Skenes is just like us, who would ever want to face Ohtani as a hitter? It might be fun to say you faced Ohtani, but to actually have to try and get a hit or get on base and help the offense, Ohtani is one of the pitchers fans should least want to face.

This season, Ohtani has a 0.82 ERA in seven starts across 44 innings pitched with 25 hits, 11 walks, two homers, and six runs (four earned) allowed this season.

MORE: Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award

Ohtani has also struck out 50 batters this season, and has a ridiculous 487 ERA+ to begin the season. Hitters have just a .161 average and a .475 OPS against Ohtani this season.

As good as Skenes has been this season, Ohtani's numbers are better, and there might not be a pitcher a hitter would least like to face than Ohtani right now.

The Skenes vs. Ohtani Cy Young race in the NL will be an exciting one, and this admission from Skenes on Ohtani only adds another fun layer to this competition.

Skenes saying he's glad he's not a hitter so he doesn't have to face Ohtani proves he's just like us. Who would actually want to face Ohtani as a hitter? Skenes certainly doesn't. And most fans at home likely feel the same way as well.

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