The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Washington Nationals on Friday, September 4 at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET. Blake Snell gets the ball for Los Angeles against Washington's Jackson Kent in a regular season contest that gives the Dodgers a chance to build on their home footing deep into the September stretch. SportsNet LA has the local broadcast, with Dodgers Radio AM570 carrying the call on the airwaves.

Pitching Matchup: Blake Snell vs. Jackson Kent

Snell is the headliner here. The left-hander brings proven big-league pedigree to the hill, and the Dodgers will be counting on him to work deep into the game and keep the Nationals' lineup in check. On the other side, Washington sends out Jackson Kent, a right-hander who will be tested by one of the more formidable lineups in the National League.

No current ERA or win-loss figures are available for either starter heading into this one, so the focus shifts to execution on the night rather than season-long numbers.

Dodgers Starting Lineup

• 1. Tommy Edman — CF
• 2. Mookie Betts — SS
• 3. Teoscar Hernández — LF
• 4. Will Smith — C
• 5. Max Muncy — 3B
• 6. Miguel Rojas — 2B
• 7. Alex Call — DH
• 8. Kyle Tucker — RF
• 9. Enrique Hernández — 1B

Manager Dave Roberts has put together a lineup with plenty of pop in the middle of the order. Mookie Betts slides into the two-hole at shortstop, setting the table for Teoscar Hernández, whose left-field presence adds thunder in the three-spot. Will Smith anchors the cleanup position behind the dish, and Max Muncy's power from the left side at third brings another threat in the five-hole. Kyle Tucker in right field gives the Dodgers a legitimate weapon even batting eighth, and Enrique Hernández rounds out the order at first base.

Keys to Watch

How Deep Can Snell Go?

Snell's ability to pile up strikeouts and navigate through a lineup multiple times will be the central question. The longer he can keep Los Angeles out of the bullpen on a Friday night, the better positioned the Dodgers are heading into the weekend.

Middle of the Order Production

The Betts-Hernández-Smith-Muncy stretch is where this game could get out of hand fast for Washington. Kent will need to be sharp in the zone and execute his game plan against four hitters who can do damage in different ways. Any mistakes in that corridor of the lineup will likely end up on the scoreboard.

Tucker and the Bottom Third

Do not sleep on the bottom of this order. Tucker is a genuine threat regardless of where he hits, and the combination of Tucker and Enrique Hernández at nine can turn the lineup over in dangerous ways for opposing pitchers.

Prediction

The Dodgers are at home, the lineup is stacked top to bottom, and Snell gives Los Angeles a quality arm to lean on. Washington faces a tough assignment against this club in this ballpark. Expect the Dodgers to control the game from the early innings and come away with a win. Dodgers 6, Nationals 2.