The Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET on SportsNet LA. Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the ball for Los Angeles against left-hander Robbie Ray in a late-season NL West showdown that carries real weight. These two clubs have been at each other's throats all season long, and a September home date against San Diego is never just another game on the schedule.

Pitching Matchup: Yamamoto vs. Robbie Ray

Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets the start for the Dodgers. When the Dodgers send Yamamoto to the mound, they are putting their best foot forward — the young right-hander has been one of Los Angeles's most important arms this season. His ability to generate swings and misses while throwing deep into games gives the Dodgers a legitimate chance to control this one from the first inning.

On the other side, Robbie Ray gets the call for San Diego. Ray is a power left-hander who can give lineups trouble with his fastball-slider combination, and the Dodgers will need to be disciplined in the strike zone against him. Left-handed hitters in particular will want to have a plan ready early.

Dodgers Starting Lineup

• Mookie Betts — SS
• Shohei Ohtani — DH
• Will Smith — C
• Freddie Freeman — 1B
• Teoscar Hernández — LF
• Kyle Tucker — RF
• Andy Pages — CF
• Max Muncy — 3B
• Tommy Edman — 2B

Padres Starting Lineup

• Fernando Tatis Jr. — RF
• Dustin Harris — LF
• Manny Machado — 3B
• Ty France — 1B
• Jackson Merrill — CF
• Xander Bogaerts — SS
• Jake Cronenworth — 2B
• Samad Taylor — DH
• Ethan Salas — C

Keys to Watch for the Dodgers

• Ohtani vs. Ray: Shohei Ohtani batting second is the matchup within the matchup. Ray's left-handed profile means the Padres may try to work Ohtani carefully, but walking him to face Freddie Freeman is no gift either. How Ray navigates the two through three is a central storyline.
• Yamamoto's command: Yamamoto is at his best when he is locating all of his pitches and keeping hitters off-balance. Fernando Tatis Jr. leads off for San Diego and is the kind of athlete who can do damage if Yamamoto falls behind in counts early.
• Manny Machado factor: Machado hitting third for the Padres is a consistent threat. Yamamoto and the Dodgers' battery need a sound plan against him in key situations, particularly with runners on base.
• Bottom of the order production: Andy Pages, Max Muncy, and Tommy Edman batting seventh through ninth gives the Dodgers lineup real depth. Getting those three on base ahead of Betts and Ohtani in multiple innings would put Ray under significant pressure.

Prediction

This is a strong matchup on paper, and Dodger Stadium in late September against a division rival is exactly the kind of game Yamamoto should thrive in. The Dodgers' lineup has the depth to get to Ray early and often, and Yamamoto gives Los Angeles the edge on the mound. Expect a competitive game, but the Dodgers take this one at home.