The Los Angeles Dodgers make the trip to Cincinnati for a Wednesday night showdown at Great American Ball Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET on September 16, 2026. Blake Snell gets the ball for LA against Reds starter Andrew Abbott in what shapes up as a compelling pitching matchup late in the regular season. With September baseball carrying real weight in the standings, every game on the road counts, and the Dodgers will need a strong outing from Snell to come away with a win in a ballpark that has historically been hitter-friendly.
Pitching Matchup: Blake Snell vs. Andrew Abbott
Blake Snell takes the mound for the Dodgers in what is one of the more intriguing individual matchups on the schedule this week. Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, brings an elite arsenal to every start, headlined by a devastating curveball and a fastball he commands to both sides of the plate. When Snell is locked in and piling up strikeouts, the Dodgers are a tough team to beat. The key question, as it has often been throughout his career, is whether he can log deep into the game and limit his pitch count in the early innings.
On the other side, Andrew Abbott gives the Cincinnati Reds a legitimate arm to hang their hat on. Abbott is a left-handed pitcher who has shown the ability to keep hitters off-balance with a sharp breaking ball. Facing the Dodgers' lineup — one of the most dangerous offensive collections in baseball — Abbott will need to be precise and work efficiently to give Cincinnati a chance to win.
Keys to Watch for the Dodgers at Great American Ball Park
- Snell's command early: Great American Ball Park plays as one of the more favorable venues for hitters. If Snell allows traffic on the bases in the first few innings, the Reds have the lineup to make LA pay quickly. Establishing rhythm early is critical.
- Dodgers' plate discipline against Abbott: Abbott works with a deceptive delivery that can generate weak contact and strikeouts. The Dodgers will need to work counts, stay patient, and look for pitches they can drive rather than expanding the zone.
- Bullpen depth: September rosters give managers more options, and however long Snell goes, LA's bullpen management late in the game could determine the outcome. Protecting a lead in the final two innings at this ballpark is never a formality.
- Road execution: The Dodgers are a veteran club capable of winning in any environment, but road games in September require focus. Clean defense and situational hitting will matter as much as raw talent.
Prediction
This one leans on the pitching. If Blake Snell brings his best stuff to Cincinnati, the Dodgers have enough offensive firepower to support him and come away with a road win. Abbott is a legitimate challenge, but LA's lineup depth gives them the edge in a game that could go either way. Dodgers win, 4-2.
