The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Cincinnati Reds at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, September 8, with first pitch set for 10:10 PM ET. Tarik Skubal gets the ball for Los Angeles against Cincinnati's Nick Lodolo in a regular-season matchup that gives the Dodgers a chance to build on their home record with the calendar deep into September. The game airs on SportsNet LA and Dodgers Radio AM570.

Dodgers vs. Reds Starting Pitchers: Skubal Faces Lodolo

Tarik Skubal draws the start for the Dodgers, taking his spot at the top of the Los Angeles rotation. The left-handed Lodolo counters for Cincinnati. Neither pitcher's current-season ERA or win-loss record is available in advance of this preview, so the head-to-head statistical comparison will have to wait — but both are starters capable of setting the tone for a nine-inning ballgame, and the Dodger Stadium crowd will be engaged from the first pitch.

Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Lineup

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

Keys to Watch on Tuesday Night

Betts and Freeman at the Heart of the Order

Mookie Betts slots in at second in the lineup and Freddie Freeman cleans up at four. Those two bats are the engine of the Dodgers offense, and how they perform against Lodolo will go a long way toward determining whether Los Angeles generates enough run support to keep Skubal comfortable. Betts batting in front of Will Smith at three gives Cincinnati's pitcher no room to breathe in the middle of the lineup.

Lodolo's Lefty Angle Against a Deep Lineup

Lodolo throws from the left side, which is worth watching given that Los Angeles carries a right-heavy lineup on this night. Max Muncy at eight and Enrique Hernández batting ninth give the Dodgers capable left-handed or switch-hitting options deep in the order. The Reds will need Lodolo to limit damage and keep Cincinnati in the game long enough to work the bullpen matchups.

Alex Call and Depth Production

Alex Call starts in left field and hits seventh. In a September game with playoff positioning implications, contributions from the bottom third of the lineup — Call, Muncy, and Enrique Hernández — matter. If that group can grind out walks and put runners on base for Edman and Betts to drive in, the Dodgers offense becomes considerably deeper and harder to manage.

Prediction

Skubal on the mound at Dodger Stadium, with Betts and Freeman in the middle of a lineup that goes nine deep — the Dodgers are positioned well here. Cincinnati will need a strong outing from Lodolo to stay in this one. Expect Los Angeles to generate enough offense early and let Skubal dictate terms. Dodgers win, 5–2.