The Los Angeles Dodgers return to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, September 5, to host the Washington Nationals in a 9:10 PM ET first pitch. Tyler Glasnow gets the ball for Los Angeles against Washington's Cade Cavalli. With the regular season winding down into its final weeks, every home game at Chavez Ravine carries real weight, and the Dodgers will look to protect their turf against a Nationals club making the trip west.
Pitching Matchup: Tyler Glasnow vs. Cade Cavalli
Glasnow is the story on the mound Saturday. The right-hander is one of the most electric starters in the National League when he is locked in, possessing the kind of fastball-curveball combination that can carve through any lineup. His ability to pile up strikeouts and eat deep into games gives Los Angeles a genuine edge whenever he takes the hill at home.
Cavalli gets the assignment for Washington. The young right-hander has shown flashes of the stuff that made him a highly regarded prospect, and he is capable of keeping the Dodgers' potent offense off-balance on any given night. Los Angeles cannot afford to sleep on him simply because the Nationals are the visiting club.
Keys to Watch in Saturday's Game
- Glasnow's command: When Glasnow is throwing strikes early and getting ahead in counts, he is nearly unhittable. If his command wavers, the Nationals can work counts and make him work. Watch his first-inning fastball location closely.
- Dodgers' lineup vs. a young starter: Los Angeles has the lineup depth to grind through a pitcher like Cavalli as the game progresses. How quickly hitters make adjustments after seeing him the first time through the order will be telling.
- Bullpen management: In a late-September push, how both managers handle their relievers — particularly if either starter runs into trouble early — could decide this one as much as the starters themselves.
- Home crowd energy: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium is one of the best home-field advantages in baseball. Late-season Saturday night games bring out a charged crowd, and that atmosphere can lift a team through tough innings.
How to Watch and Listen
Saturday's game is available on SportsNet LA for Dodgers fans locally. Washington viewers can tune to Nationals.TV. Radio coverage is on Dodgers Radio AM570 in English and KTNQ 1020 in Spanish. First pitch is set for 9:10 PM ET.
Prediction
Glasnow at home is a tough equation for any opponent to solve. The Dodgers have the pitching and the lineup to handle a Washington club on the road late in the season. Los Angeles takes this one, with Glasnow going six-plus strong innings and the offense doing enough damage against Cavalli in the middle frames to put it away. Dodgers 5, Nationals 2.
