The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Cincinnati for a Monday night regular season matchup against the Reds at Great American Ball Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET. Tarik Skubal gets the ball for Los Angeles against left-hander Nick Lodolo, setting up a legitimate pitching duel worth watching. With September baseball carrying real weight in the standings, every game on the road matters, and this one is no exception for a Dodgers club that needs to keep winning away from home.

Starting Pitchers: Skubal vs. Lodolo

Tarik Skubal is the story here for the Dodgers. The left-hander takes the mound in a road environment where Los Angeles will need a quality start to steal a win. Skubal has established himself as one of the more capable starters in the rotation, and a strong outing tonight against a Cincinnati lineup that can do damage would go a long way.

Nick Lodolo gets the nod for Cincinnati. The Reds left-hander is a legitimate arm who can keep hitters off-balance with his size and angle. The Dodgers' lineup will need to be disciplined and patient against him — Lodolo is the kind of pitcher who rewards hitters who chase early and punishes those who don't work counts.

Cincinnati Reds Lineup to Watch

The Reds are sending out a lineup with real threats top to bottom. Elly De La Cruz bats second and is the obvious name to contain — his combination of speed and raw power makes him dangerous in any count, any situation. If De La Cruz gets rolling, this game can get away from Los Angeles quickly.

• Dane Myers (CF) — leadoff, sets the table
• Elly De La Cruz (SS) — the Reds' most dynamic offensive weapon
• Sal Stewart (1B) — young power bat hitting third
• Tyler Stephenson (C) — dangerous cleanup hitter
• Eugenio Suárez (DH) — veteran with postseason experience and home run pop

The bottom third of the Cincinnati order is not a place to take a breather either. JJ Bleday, Ke'Bryan Hayes, and Héctor Rodríguez give the Reds lineup depth that can extend innings if Skubal loses focus.

Keys to the Game for Los Angeles

• Skubal must limit De La Cruz. Keep him off the bases and you take away Cincinnati's biggest threat in one move.
• Work Lodolo deep into counts. Get pitch counts up early and force the Reds bullpen into action by the fifth or sixth inning.
• Avoid the big inning. Great American Ball Park plays as a hitter-friendly environment. One crooked number can be the difference on the road.
• Execute with runners in scoring position. Road wins in September come down to cashing in opportunities when they appear.

Prediction

Skubal is capable of delivering a gem here, and that gives the Dodgers a real shot in Cincinnati. The Reds lineup is dangerous enough to keep this close, but if Los Angeles's offense does enough against Lodolo early, expect the pitching to hold up. Dodgers win a tight one, 4-2. Tune in on SportsNet LA or catch it on Dodgers Radio AM570.