The Los Angeles Dodgers host the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET. Eric Lauer takes the ball for Los Angeles against Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy in what shapes up as a late-season regular season matchup. With Shohei Ohtani leading off and a lineup stacked through the middle of the order, the Dodgers will look to take care of business in front of their home crowd. SportsNet LA has the TV call; AM570 carries radio in English, with KTNQ 1020 on Spanish-language radio.

Probable Pitchers: Eric Lauer vs. Michael McGreevy

Eric Lauer draws the start for the Dodgers. Lauer is a left-handed option in the rotation who will need to navigate a Cardinals lineup that leans on Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson in the middle of the order. Pitching at home in September, limiting traffic on the bases early will be critical for Lauer to give the bullpen a night off.

Michael McGreevy takes the hill for St. Louis. The Cardinals right-hander faces one of the more challenging assignments a visiting starter can get — a Dodgers lineup that puts Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts in the first three spots. McGreevy will need to work efficiently and avoid the big inning if the Cardinals hope to keep this one close.

Dodgers Lineup: Top-Heavy and Built to Score

• Shohei Ohtani (DH) — Leading off
• Freddie Freeman (1B) — Batting second
• Mookie Betts (SS) — Batting third
• Max Muncy (3B) — Cleanup
• Will Smith (C) — Batting fifth
• Kyle Tucker (RF) — Batting sixth
• Tommy Edman (CF) — Batting seventh
• Enrique Hernández (LF) — Batting eighth
• Alex Freeland (2B) — Batting ninth

That 1-2-3 of Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts is as formidable as any trio in baseball. If McGreevy gets into trouble early, the Dodgers have the lineup depth to pile on fast. Tucker at six and Smith at five add another layer of run-scoring threat that makes it difficult for opposing pitchers to find a soft spot in this order.

Cardinals Lineup: Young Core Gets a Big Stage

• José Fermín (2B) — Leading off
• Iván Herrera (DH) — Batting second
• Jordan Walker (RF) — Batting third
• Alec Burleson (1B) — Cleanup
• Joshua Báez (LF) — Batting fifth
• Leo Bernal (C) — Batting sixth
• Ramón Urías (3B) — Batting seventh
• Thomas Saggese (SS) — Batting eighth
• Nathan Church (CF) — Batting ninth

St. Louis is leaning on a young group here. Walker and Burleson carry the most offensive weight in this lineup. Lauer will need to keep Walker from getting extended at-bats in favorable counts — the outfielder has the tools to do damage when he sees pitches he can drive.

Keys to Watch

• Whether Lauer can establish himself early and keep the Cardinals off the board through the first three innings.
• How the Dodgers' top three hitters handle McGreevy's approach — if Ohtani, Freeman, or Betts gets on base consistently, St. Louis will be playing from behind.
• Bullpen management for both sides late in the game, particularly if either starter exits before the sixth inning.
• Kyle Tucker's production in his spot in the order — a threat who punishes pitchers who nibble after getting through the top of the lineup.

Prediction

The Dodgers have the lineup advantage top to bottom, and pitching at home in September gives Los Angeles an edge in atmosphere and familiarity. McGreevy faces a steep climb navigating that top three. Expect the Dodgers to generate offense early and Lauer to provide enough length to keep the bullpen fresh. Dodgers win, 5-2.