The Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Diego Padres at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with first pitch set for 10:10 PM ET. This is a late-season NL West divisional matchup that carries real weight in the standings. San Diego sends right-hander Michael King to the mound, while the Dodgers have not yet announced a probable starter. The game airs on SportsNet LA and TBS/HBO Max, with radio coverage on AM570 and KWFN 97.3 FM.
Pitching Matchup: Michael King Starts for San Diego
Michael King gets the ball for the Padres, and that is not a matchup Los Angeles can afford to take lightly. King has been one of San Diego's most reliable arms, and a late-September start against a division rival on the road tells you the Padres view this as a meaningful game. The Dodgers' starter remains to be confirmed — watch for the club to finalize that decision as game time approaches.
The pitching uncertainty on the Dodgers' side is worth monitoring. A bullpen game or a late announcement could shift how Los Angeles manages its roster and in-game decisions, particularly in a divisional contest where every out matters.
Keys to Watch in This NL West Divisional Game
- Dodgers' starter announcement: Los Angeles has not named a probable pitcher. Whether that means a rotation arm or a bullpen-managed game will shape how both teams approach their lineups and in-game strategy.
- Facing Michael King: King is a legitimate challenge. Dodgers hitters will need to be disciplined and make him work deep into counts if they want to get into the San Diego bullpen early.
- Home-field advantage: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium is one of the best home environments in the majors late in a season. The crowd will be engaged in a division game of this magnitude.
- Divisional stakes: September games between the Dodgers and Padres carry real NL West implications. Every game in this series has the potential to shift the balance of the division race.
Broadcast Information
- TV: SportsNet LA, TBS/HBO Max, TBS (out-of-market only), Padres.TV Presented by UC San Diego Health
- Radio (English): AM570, KWFN 97.3 FM
- Radio (Spanish): XEMO 860, KTNQ 1020
Prediction: Dodgers Take Care of Business at Home
The Dodgers are at home, in September, against a division rival — that combination typically brings the best out of this ballclub at Dodger Stadium. The King matchup is legitimate and deserves respect, but until Los Angeles names a starter, the full pitching picture is incomplete. What is clear is that this is a game the Dodgers need to win, and playing at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium with a charged September crowd gives them a real edge. Edge: Dodgers.
