The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, for a 6:40 PM ET first pitch against the Cincinnati Reds. Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets the ball for Los Angeles against Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching matchup to close out a meaningful stretch of the regular season schedule. With September baseball carrying playoff-positioning weight for clubs across the National League, the Dodgers cannot afford to take any opponent lightly — Cincinnati included.

Dodgers vs. Reds Pitching Matchup: Yamamoto vs. Lowder

Yamamoto is the headliner here, and rightfully so. The right-hander has been one of the cornerstones of the Dodgers' rotation since arriving in Los Angeles, and September starts carry added significance as rosters expand and teams sharpen their postseason pictures. He will look to keep Cincinnati's lineup quiet on the road.

Lowder is the assignment Cincinnati is handing its rotation on this Tuesday night. The young Reds starter will have his hands full keeping a Dodgers offense from doing damage at a ballpark that has seen plenty of high-scoring games.

Cincinnati Reds Starting Lineup

• Carlos Jorge — CF
• Elly De La Cruz — SS
• Sal Stewart — 1B
• JJ Bleday — LF
• Eugenio Suárez — DH
• Héctor Rodríguez — RF
• Matt McLain — 2B
• Juan Brito — 3B
• Will Banfield — C

The Dodgers' lineup card had not been released at time of publication. Expect the usual collection of offensive weapons that opposing pitchers have been dealing with all season long.

Keys to Watch Tuesday Night

Yamamoto's Command Early

How Yamamoto navigates the early innings will set the tone. Elly De La Cruz is the most dangerous piece in this Cincinnati order — a switch-hitting shortstop with explosive speed and power who can hurt you multiple ways. If Yamamoto can keep De La Cruz from getting on base and manufacturing trouble, the Dodgers are in a strong position.

Attacking Lowder

Lowder is still developing at the major league level, and a veteran Dodgers offense should look to make him work deep counts and get into the Reds bullpen early. Forcing pitch counts and taking quality at-bats against a young starter is exactly the kind of professional approach that a September club needs to display.

Great American Ball Park Factor

This is a ballpark that plays fair to hitters. The Dodgers need to respect that environment and understand that a two- or three-run lead is never safe here. Yamamoto pitching a deep game and keeping the Reds' bats quiet is the ideal script.

Prediction

Yamamoto is the best arm on the field Tuesday night, and that matters in close games. The Dodgers have the pitching advantage at the top, and if the offense does its job against a developing starter in Lowder, Los Angeles should be in position to take this one. Dodgers win, 4–2.

Catch the game on SportsNet LA or Dodgers Radio AM570. Spanish-language coverage is available on KTNQ 1020.