The Los Angeles Dodgers make the trip up the 101 to take on the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Saturday, September 26, with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM ET. Blake Snell gets the ball for Los Angeles against Giants right — Giants starter Matt Wilkinson in what is a late-September regular season showdown in one of baseball's most storied rivalries. With the calendar winding down toward the final days of the 2026 regular season, every game in this series carries weight for both clubs.
Pitching Matchup: Blake Snell vs. Matt Wilkinson
Blake Snell takes the mound for the Dodgers. The left-hander is no stranger to big moments or big stages, and Oracle Park — with its swirling bay winds and quirky dimensions — is exactly the kind of environment that tests a pitcher's command and composure. Snell's ability to miss bats will be critical against a Giants lineup that plays tough in its home ballpark.
Opposing him is Matt Wilkinson for San Francisco. Wilkinson is a name Dodgers fans may be less familiar with, which is reason enough not to overlook him. Late-season matchups against lesser-known starters can be traps, and Los Angeles will need to do its homework early and make him work deep into counts rather than swing at first-pitch strikes.
Keys to Watch for the Dodgers
- Snell's command early: Oracle Park can be a pitcher-friendly venue, but only if you locate your pitches. If Snell finds his rhythm in the first two innings, this should be a strong outing.
- Scouting Wilkinson: The Dodgers' lineup is deep enough to get to an unfamiliar starter, but the approach matters. Patient at-bats, working counts, and avoiding early-count pop-ups will be the blueprint.
- Bullpen management: With the regular season winding down, how the Dodgers deploy their relief corps in a road environment is worth monitoring closely.
- Rivalry intensity: Dodgers-Giants games carry a different energy regardless of the standings. Expect sharp, competitive baseball from both sides.
Broadcast Information
Dodgers fans can catch Saturday's game on SportsNet LA on television or tune in on Dodgers Radio AM570. Spanish-language radio coverage is available on KTNQ 1020. Giants fans can find the game on NBCS BA and KNBR 680.
Prediction
This is a winnable game for Los Angeles. Snell on the mound in a late-September road start against a Giants club pitching Wilkinson gives the Dodgers a clear advantage at the top of the lineup card. The rivalry factor keeps it from being a blowout on paper, but expect the Dodgers to get enough offense to support Snell and come away with a road win. Dodgers 4, Giants 2.
